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Tuesday 31 Aug 2010

MORE CAR PARKING SPACES AT WARRINGTON BANK QUAY STATION

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A new car park for rail passengers using Warrington Bank Quay station opens on 4 September. Located a short walk from the station, car park 2 provides 200 spaces and is situated in Slutchers Lane.

The environmentally friendly car park has been built on a brownfield site and incorporates a drainage system with bacteria that eat oil, and matting that stops the growth of Japanese Knotweed. It has also been designed in such a way as to be eligible for Park Mark secure parking status.

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.

“This car park goes that extra mile by having bacteria that eat oil deposits from parked cars. We also used a special matting to stop Japanese Knotweed, which meant we didn’t have to dig out and dispose of thousands of tonnes of earth and rubble that would have been taken away in dozens of lorries.”

As well as the new car park, by 20 September Network Rail and Virgin Trains will have upgraded the facilities at the existing car park (car park 1) located adjacent to the station entrance. To allow the upgrade of car park 1 to take place it will be temporarily closed from 4 September. Once the upgrade work is completed the two car parks will provide a combined 280 spaces at the station.

For the safety and security of users, the new car park also has CCTV throughout with 24 hour recording. The car parks will have 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.

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

From 4 September all-day parking in Car Park 2 at Warrington Bank Quay will cost £6, and is the first increase in parking charges at the station for over five years. New reduced off-peak parking charges will be available after 10:00 on weekdays costing £4 and on Saturdays and Sundays costing £2 a day. 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 £74 effectively offering daily parking, based on 20 days use a month at just £3.70 a day. The annual ticket is priced at £735 and if used for just 45 weeks a year offers an equivalent daily parking rate of just £3.27 a day.

From 20 September all-day parking in Car Park 1 at Warrington Bank Quay will cost £8. New reduced off-peak parking charges will be available on Saturdays and Sundays costing £6 a day. 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 priced 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 Warrington Bank Quay Keith Millard said: “The limited parking facilities at Warrington Bank Quay station have caused problems for rail travellers in recent years. Now with 200 extra spaces everyone should be able to find a parking space, and the special off-peak rates should appeal to shoppers and weekend travellers.”