Cam and Dursley Station - ongoing car parking problems

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First Great Western and Gloucestershire County Council agree something needs to be done with the parking at Cam and Dursley Railway Station

Parking at a popular railway station is still failing to meet demand ^ four years after it was highlighted as a problem.

Since its completion in 1994, Cam and Dursley Railway Station has proved to be a success story, with the number of rail passengers a year tripling from 50,534 in 2002 to 153,102 in 2011.

Commuters are now finding the car park is often full and are forced to park in front of nearby homes instead.

Rail user group Coaley Junction Action Committee (CoJAC) has campaigned for better services at the site since its construction and spokesman Clive Mowforth said the situation had got worse. "There are about 94 spaces but there are people parking on the end of aisles and even on Box Road, something needs to be done," he said. "It has proven to be a very popular station but the parking needs to be increased. There have been no changes made at all since the station opened in 1994, we are deterring people from using the station."

Jenny Bailey, of Stroud, wrote to the Gazette after having problems with the inadequate parking at the site on her commute to Bristol. In her letter she said: "Could the very scruffy raised beds between the bays not be flattened and used for extra parking? Another ten to 12 spaces could be created if this was implemented."

The issue has also been a concern for Cam Parish Council who feel that something needs to be done. "We do need adequate parking and a good integrated bus service as well," said Cam Parish clerk Sue Hanman. "The buses do not always match up with the trains, if the buses were more reliable than maybe more people would use them rather than their cars."

Back in 2008 complaints by passengers led to a meeting between train operator First Great Western and Gloucestershire County Council, owners of the car park. Both agreed the car park needed expanding, but no solution had been reached.

A Gloucestershire County Council spokesman said they were still in regular talks with the rail company. "The main issue is to create more spaces and that can only be done once funding can be found and following negotiations with the rail company," he said. "We know that this is a really important station and parking is much in demand. We'll be carrying out a small scheme that will provide up to eight extra spaces shortly, and we'll look for opportunities for bigger schemes in future, funding permitting."

A spokesman for First Great Western confirmed that they were looking at ways of making improvements with the council.