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Friday 1 Oct 2010

MORE CAR PARKING SPACES AT STAFFORD STATION

Region & Route:

Network Rail has confirmed that the new south car park for rail passengers using Stafford station will open on Monday 11 October. Work will then transfer to the north car park (beyond the Mercedes car showroom) for a further four weeks.

Jo Kaye, route director for Network Rail who built the car park, said: “Providing car parking at railway stations is all about true transport integration – passengers driving short distances to the station to then use the railway they rely on for the longer part of their journey.”

A new charging structure is also being introduced, offering substantial discounts over the full day rate for off peak and weekend users.

From 11 October all-day parking at Stafford will cost £8, and is the first increase in parking charges at the station for almost six years. New reduced off-peak parking charges will be available from 10:00 on weekdays costing £4 and a new weekend rate of £2 a day will apply. Monthly, quarterly, six monthly and annual season tickets are also available for regular peak time users, which have also been increased to align them pro-rata with the new daily rate. The new monthly ticket costs £98 effectively offering daily parking, based on 20 days use a month at just £4.90 a day. The annual ticket is prices at £980 and if used for just 45 weeks a year offers an equivalent daily parking rate of just £4.36 a day.

Virgin Trains station manager at Stafford Sheila Breeze said: “The limited parking facilities have caused problems for rail travellers in recent years. When work on upgrading the north car park is completed there will be 272 extra spaces and everyone should be able to find a parking space. The special off-peak rates should also appeal to shoppers and weekend travellers.”

The car park has a new ‘Pay on Foot’ payment system, where a ticket is issued on entry to the car park. Payment must then be made at the machine prior to customers returning to their car to leave the car park.

Once the multi storey car park is open, work will start on installing CCTV cameras, refurbishing the lighting and renewing the white lines in the north car park.

Finally, the ‘staff car park’ immediately to the right of the station will become the permanent location for the taxi rank.