Push for new Shrewsbury car park to support London train link commuters
A new multi-storey car park could be built in Shrewsbury town centre to cater for hundreds of commuters using Shropshire's new direct rail link to London.
Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski was today meeting officials from Virgin Trains at the House of Commons to discuss the plan. He said a new car park was "pivotal" for the service, which is due to be introduced in December, to work in the long-term.
The car park would be built on a car park behind the railway station which is also used by staff at the nearby Royal Mail building. Currently there is limited short-term car parking available on the station's forecourt, and the nearest multi-storey car park is at Raven Meadows.
More than 3,000 people signed a petition as part of the Shropshire Star's campaign to restore a direct rail link to the capital. The Office of Rail Regulation confirmed in November last year a direct route would be brought back.
The meeting in London was taking place this morning and Mr Kawcyznski said it was vital enough parking was provided near the station to encourage people to use the rail service.
Virgin Trains declined to comment ahead of today's meeting.
Mr Kawczynski said: "We will have this direct rail service to London as of December 14, and I think it is absolutely pivotal to ensure that as many Salopians and people from Mid Wales as possible can use the service to make it sustainable.
"It is a big concern of mine that people will not use the service because there is simply not enough car parking spaces and that is very detrimental.
"I want commuters to be able to go and use the service at 8am and be able to park their car.
"I've gone there myself on a Monday morning and haven't been able to get a car parking space, so I wouldn't rule out a multi-storey car park at all.
"It will be a decision for Virgin Trains but at the moment there are not enough car parking spaces and that's the main thing."
County MP's met with the Office of Rail Regulation last week to further the campaign to bring a direct rail link between our region and London's Euston station.
The Government has already agreed to the establishment of a county service to the capital, as have Network Rail and Virgin Trains. People would be able to catch trains from Telford, Wellington and Shrewsbury and travel to London without needing to change services at Birmingham.
