Cheltenham's MP, Alex Chalk, has today welcomed the announcement of £700,000 funding for an additional 70 car parking spaces at Cheltenham Spa station. The spaces will be built on land to the south of the station which is currently redundant.
The announcement follows a bidding process which saw Cheltenham Spa pitted against rival stations nationally. Getting behind the Cheltenham bid, Alex Chalk lobbied the Managing Director of Great Western Railway, Mark Hopwood and the Department for Transport, stressing the need for investment in the town's railway infrastructure.
Speaking following the announcement, Mr Chalk said:
''I'm delighted that this funding bid has been successful and that as a result we are going to see additional parking at our railway station. It is good news for commuters at a time when demand for railway services in Cheltenham is growing rapidly, and will help to ease the pressure on the nearby residential streets. But this must be just the beginning. We’ve heard lots of words about the station itself being promised further investment – but what we really want is action. I will be keeping up the pressure.''
Commenting on the news, Cheltenham Spa Station Manager Richard Morrish said:
"Cheltenham Spa Station accommodates over two million passenger journeys a year, and this is expected to grow as new trains and improved services are delivered in the near future.
"I am delighted to have the support of our MP Alex Chalk in helping to ensure that this bid is successful, enabling us to maximise all the benefits new trains, more seats and quicker services will bring, and allowing even more people to take advantage of the train."
Rail Minister, Claire Perry MP, added:
“The new investment at Cheltenham Spa station will help to improve passengers’ experience when using the station, making it easier for people to travel to work and see friends and family.
“This investment is part of the government’s record £38 billion investment to improve and maintain the UK’s rail network, making it fit for the future. We are determined to meet the needs of passengers, at a time when more people than ever are using the railways. The new £700,000 work at Cheltenham station is a great example of this.''