More parking for Worcestershire Parkway sought

A new temporary car park could be set up at a busy train station after its popularity with commuters meant people could not find spaces.

The existing car park at Worcestershire Parkway, in Norton, has come under significant pressure during the working week, including days where drivers have been slapped with £100 fines for leaving vehicles outside marked bays.

Talks about expanding existing provision by using nearby government land are taking place but the county council said they were at an early stage.

Since the station opened in 2020 it has succeeded expectations, with about half a million passenger trips being made from its platforms annually.

The station is already operating at a level equivalent to year 15 of the council's own business case, with commuters using it to reach destinations such as London, Oxford, Birmingham, Bristol and South Wales.

The council is now in negotiations with Homes England over using some of its land for extra parking, before it forms part of a major new 10,000 home settlement called Wychavon Town.

"We're working with Homes England to identify the best possible interim solution - one that is practical, represents good value for money and helps relieve the pressure on the existing car park," county council deputy leader Adam Kent said.

The solution would only be an interim one, as in the longer term the council wants to build a multi-story on-site.

When Parkway opened about 500 parking spaces were built in, but rail chiefs and the council have told the BBC passenger numbers have taken them by surprise and burst through "even the most ambitious expectations".

"Worcestershire Parkway has been a huge success, with demand growing much faster than originally forecast," added Kent.

The BBC spoke to commuters who had driven to Parkway, with many of them saying they had ran into issues.

Lee Virgo said: "There seems to be a lot of 'dead space' around the station that could be used to provide more car parking as it is, land that isn't really being utilised.

"I agree that more car parking is needed. I reckon they could expand with the land they've already got to, to some degree."

Paul Taylor, 48, who works in finance, said: "It's perfectly fine to find a space on a Monday and a Friday, but the middle of the week can be a nightmare, Tuesdays and Wednesdays in particular.

"I've had a couple of parking tickets, because I've had no choice but to dump the car.

"I've also had days when I've gone back home and told my boss I won't be going in, because it's been full (the car park) - it's crazy."

Marie Wesson, 30, a mature student, said: "I feel like they should have planned the car parking better in the first place.

"I'm lucky because I don't have to go in early. I've got friends who have had problems here early in the morning. But it's great they are now looking at it."

Charles Ashton said: "I come here occasionally to go into Birmingham, and this time of day there's often only a few spaces left.

"But I've never been left without one. At the end of the day it's been a big success hasn't it?

"It's clearly exceeded expectations, I don't think anyone should be criticised for that - it's created lots of routes for passengers, and I think expanding the parking is very sensible."

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