New car park opens at Castle Cary rail station

The new Castle Cary Station car park will provide rail users with more than 190 extra parking spaces

A much-needed new car park at a railway station has now opened after local residents complained about congestion.

Great Western Railway (GWR) purchased land near Castle Cary station to provide almost 200 new spaces.

The decision comes after limited parking had caused controversy after safety concerns, with commuters using nearby roads and verges.

The new car park will temporarily close again in the New Year to allow for resurfacing.

Funded by GWR and the Department for Transport, the station car park will feature four electric vehicle spaces and an accessible route to the station.

Improvements will also be made to the existing forecourt and bus stop, including the installation of new lighting.

'A nightmare'

Local residents of an estate nearby say "inconsiderate" parking by rail users had caused many issues in the past.

Limited parking near the station meant commuters were often forced to park on nearby pavements and verges.

"We've had to put signs up, they're parked everywhere and anywhere," said Jeremy Mulford, a regular user of the station car park.

"We've come home sometimes and haven't been able to get in our own parking spaces."

"I come an hour early knowing I can nab one or two spots but I was delighted this morning to see this [car park] is open," he added.

Jeremy Mulford said there had been issues with finding parking near the station

The purchase of the land for Castle Cary Station car park, as well as a nearby access road, reportedly cost GWR £3m.

Contractors will need to return in the coming months to resurface the road, meaning the car park will shut again.

The car park will close in the New Year for essential resurfacing works to the access road

Station manager Jordan Welsby said:"We're committed to focusing on improving the railway, enabling more people to take advantage of the train services we offer, and we wanted customers to be able to use this new car park as soon as they could. "To do so we have temporarily opened the car park before work to resurface the access road is completed.

"Unfortunately, that means we will have to close it for a short while when contractors return in the New Year to complete the works."

GWR say they will warn customers when the car park is due to close again as soon as their contractors confirm dates.