PERSHORE MP Harriett Baldwin has backed a move to set up a £10,000 funding pot to help get the town’s delayed car park extension project moving again.
As reported in last week’s Observer, a recent meeting between councillors and Network Rail revealed funding for the project had lapsed and there were now no funds to pay for legal fees needed to complete the land-swap deal with landowners Carlton
Smith Ltd.
To help move things forward, a funding pot has been created to help cover the cost of the legal fees which Network Rail is no longer able to pay.
A number of organisations are set to contribute to the fund with Pershore Market Town Partnership and Wychavon District Council already committing a payment of £1,000 each.
At a Pershore Town Council meeting held last Thursday (June 19) councillors agreed to contribute £2,000 to the fund to try and move the long-running saga a step closer to the finish line.
More much-needed contributions could also come from Worcestershire County Council and the Cotswold Line Promotion Group.
The district council will act as banker for the money and refund any unspent funds at the end of the project.
And Mrs Baldwin, who earlier this year called for urgent action to be made on the project, welcomed the plans saying she felt sorry for commuters who continue to see no progress being made with the car park extension.
“I appreciate how frustrated commuters must be that this land swap is taking so long.” she said.
“I am pleased that the district and town Councils are working together to try and secure funding for the swap for the Pershore Railway Station car park which will improve capacity a little bit.”
