Deal for up to 80 new car parking spaces at Littleport station “reached”

MP Steve Barclay (Image: Archant)

MP for North East Cambridgeshire, Steve Barclay, says he has worked closely with Littleport councillor David Ambrose Smith on securing the extra land and believes a deal is all but done.

The council aims to have 80 new spaces ready for use by December next year to add to the 40 existing spaces.

Mr Barclay said: “Cllr David Ambrose Smith and I have been working to progress the plans for a much-needed extension to the Littleport train station car park and I am delighted to report that agreement on these has now been reached.

“An additional 80 parking spaces will be added, bringing the total to 120 and will simplify train travel for many motorists in and out of the area. Funding negotiations are well advanced with the council and I am very pleased the development will include an upgrade of the area around the station.

“Congratulations go to David Ambrose-Smith for doing so much to make this happen.

I am sure my Norfolk parliamentary colleague George Freeman who travels from Littleport station into Westminster will be particularly pleased with this news.”

Littleport station’s car park was opened in 2003 by Network Rail and East Cambridgeshire District Council, with about 40 long-stay spaces provided. The car park was opened to encourage greater use of Littleport station while helping ease the pressure at Ely railway station.

The move proved so successful, however, that the car park quickly run out of space to accommodate the number of commuters who wanted to use it.

As such, commuters started to park their cars in Station Road and Lynn Road, near to the station and level crossing, causing safety concerns and congestion for other road users.

The issue came to a head back in March when Cambridgeshire County Council acted on complaints for residents and business in Lynn Road complaining about being unable to access their properties because of the commuter cars.

The authority proposed introducing restricted waiting times along Station Road and Lynn Road in order to prevent vehicles from parking their between certain times.

In April, Littleport Parish Council and the district council began negotiations to purchase new land for additional car parking, with an agreement believed to have been reached this week.

Councillor David Ambrose Smith, added: “Once completed the facility will be able to manage over 100 cars - tackling a problem which has by common agreement constrained the town’s growth.

“With the car parking extension in place, we will be delivering on our plans to help the town grow economically, reinforce the town centre and expand community facilities. Littleport has great potential and we are proud to work with the community to help shape it’s future.”