Calls renewed for more parking at the station - The Evesham Observer

Calls renewed for more parking at the station

Evesham Editorial 23rd Oct, 2014 Updated: 20th Oct, 2016   0

CALLS for extra parking for Pershore station have been repeated as politicians united to back plans for a new £17.6million railway station to serve the town.

Former Pershore mayor Coun Charles Tucker repeated the call for extra parking at the station which he hoped would be in place when the new Worcestershire Parkway station opens to commuters in 2017.

Speaking at a meeting of Wychavon District Council’s executive board last Tuesday (October 14), Coun Tucker welcomed the

scheme which will be constructed at Norton near the junction of the M5.




“This is something we have watched for years and and years and I am very happy to see it move forward,” he said.

“I think this area would be very well served by rail travel and I do hope Pershore railway station will have extra parking as we don’t want to see any reduction in the use of Pershore station.”


Council leader, Coun Paul Middlebrough echoed his praise and said: “I think this is one of the most exciting things we have had for some time.”

“This is not just about travel to London, it will hopefully improve links to Bristol, Birmingham and Cheltenham and hopefully ease pressure on the M5,” he added.

Pershore’s MP Harriet Baldwin has also backed the scheme which will serve both the Cotswold Line between the county and London and also trains between Bristol and Birmingham.

Mrs Baldwin has, however, urged the council to ensure the station is able to handle a dualled track to Pershore and Evesham.

Pershore Town Council also expressed their views that an hourly train should run through the town at a town council meeting

last Thursday (October 16).

“I have consistently lobbied to complete this vital piece of work which is one of the major stumbling blocks preventing faster and more frequent trains to and from London,” Mrs Baldwin said.

“Having had conversations in Westminster discussing the impact of the single line track on services to Worcestershire, the message is reaching Government that this investment is now crucial to support our economic ambitions.

“Both Robin Walker MP and my neighbouring Sir Peter Luff MP are convinced that investment in rail infrastructure, including a new parkway station, is now vital for Worcestershire’s long-term economic plan.”

Earlier this year Central Government provisionally allocated £7.5million from the Local Growth Fund towards a new station after a successful bid through the Strategic Economic Plan.The county council is expected to fund the remaining £10million.

Once built, the fully accessible station would also include a booking office, toilets, shops and a 500-space car park.

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