Car park for Spondon rail station a priority

IT is with great interest that I have read of the proposed improved rail timetable locally, and in particular the extensive improvements to services at my local station here in Spondon.

However, whilst East Midlands Railway (EMR) is to be greatly commended for the provision of a much improved service with many more trains serving the station and locality, I fear their efforts may not bear as much fruit and acclaim and as much credit and kudos as hoped.

The absence of car parking at the station site is a massive negative for many would-be rail users. These days, even with the upturn of walking and cycling due to Covid, today’s travellers and commuters are at the mercy of compromised time windows and busy schedules and as such rail and road often need to fuse together for many journeys.

The Spondon rail site is fortunate at present in that land exists at the side of the Derby-bound platform and much of the immediate old Celanese industrial site prior to forthcoming development. I believe the provision of a car park is an immediate priority and necessity.

Over two decades ago, when Derby station was experiencing severe car parking capacity, I interviewed the then managing director of Midland Main line, the predecessor to much of today’s EMR, and suggested stopping more trains at Spondon to alleviate the problem and in essence make Spondon a Derby East parkway venue.

He readily agreed that my proposal had sound merit but with the industry having just expended funds for the provision of the then new locally provided airport station, he feared the likelihood of asking to upgrade facilities at Spondon at that time would not be countenanced. The communication feeds from all nearby road routes, including the adjacent bypass, however does not lessen its possibilities and potential today.

I would like to openly ask all opinion formers, inclusive of East Midlands Railway, the Rail Users Group, Network Rail and Derby City Council, if the provision of a car park to enhance better travel could be progressed. There seems little point in promoting greener methods of travel by Government and all authorities if the suggestion does not provide action and concrete results to benefit all and truly diminish our carbon footprint. R Neil Johnson, former British Railways Board public affairs

manager, Spondon