A CAMPAIGNER who launched a petition to increase car parking availability at St Helens Junction has welcomed the £820,000 expansion plans for the train station.

The Star reported in August that the car parking at the station in Sutton was to increase from 66 places to 242 as part of the scheme.

Works on the expansion of the Station Road site are set to start in October and are financed through the Government Sustainable Transport Enhancement Package (STEP) and Merseytravel funding.

There will also be an increased number of blue badge spaces, better walking routes within the site and upgraded lighting and CCTV coverage upon completion, which is scheduled for March 2018.

Dave Barrow-Yates, from Sutton Leach, who has been a leading campaigner for improved provision at the station, said the announcement was “good news” adding it is “a pity it has taken so long”.

Dave, 47, said: “It is good news and I’m sure the residents and everybody else is made up with this.

“It is a pity it has taken so long. The parking has got worse and Lea Green is busy too so hopefully that will benefit as well.

“There’s been a lot of animosity from residents towards people parking on the road

“Surely some sort of action could have been taken before but it’s better late than never.

“It can only be better than it is now and they are increasing the blue badges and that will benefit disabled people.

“I think Northern need to plan these things and be looking ahead.”

Cllr Liam Robinson, chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority transport committee which oversees the work of Merseytravel, had said in the announcement: “We have wanted to expand the park and ride facility at St Helens Junction which is regularly at full capacity, for some time.

“We are now in the position to do so, which should reduce the amount of on street parking around the station.”