THE number of car parking spaces at Spital train station is set to double due to an extension of the current park and ride facility.

Works, scheduled to begin on Monday, October 14, will cost around £400,000 and will see more than 60 extra spaces including additional disabled spaces and enhanced draining all introduced at the site.

The works are expected to be completed by the end of January.

Local councillor Cherry Povall, said: “This is long overdue and good news for local residents. 

"We have been lobbying Merseytravel to invest in this station for several years – to increase both parking and access. 

“Now that the work to increase the car park has been confirmed, we will be working to persuade them of the need for a lift at the station, so everyone in the community, including disabled and elderly commuters, and parents with prams and buggies, can use it.”

Liverpool City Region (LCR) combined authority hope the works will stop the overflow of cars parking on adjacent residential roads as well as attracting new park and ride users.

Transport portfolio holder for the LCR combined authority Cllr Liam Robinson told the Globe: "We have on-going commitment to providing Park and Ride sites across the City Region wherever funding and availability of land allows.

“Since 2015 and by mid – 2020, more than 1,200 new car parking spaces will have been created across the City Region rail network, including at Maghull North, Newton-Le-Willows, St Helens, Birkenhead North, Spital and Bromborough, taking the total number to around 6,500.

"This helps encourage people out of their cars and to make use of our rail network, reducing congestion and improving air quality.”

In order to carry out the works, there will be a temporary reduction in the existing number of car parking spaces to house the contractor's compound.

Passengers are urged to consider other ways of travelling to the station during the construction phase.

Andy Heath, managing director of Merseyrail, said: "This expansion of Spital station’s Park and Ride facility and the car park itself is a great move to encourage people to use the train and reduce their carbon footprint.

"We are always looking into how we can improve our passengers’ door-to-door journey, ensuring travelling on Merseyrail is as seamless as possible and more convenient and pleasant for our customers.”