RAIL users and residents have launched a campaign amid frustration over car parking availability at a train station.

A petition has been started by users of the St Helens Junction station, who say they suffer due the lack of parking spaces during the morning leading to inconsiderate parking on nearby roads.

And some say they have been fined because they have not parked in the designated spaces, due to a lack of parking provision.

Dave Barrow-Yates, who has started the petition, said: "This is the worst I have seen it. It is completely full from around 7.15am and so they are parking all along the side-roads.

"One man has a disabled son and if he can't get one of the two disabled spots then he can't get across the road with the wheelchair because of all the cars."

Dave, 45, from Sutton Leach, added: "It is just ridiculous and I am going to put a few leaflets out. There are about 60 people involved at the moment but we want more.

"I believe the car park is still only at phase one and has been for years and a phase two was planned but seems never to have materialised.

"I use the station myself once a week and my partner uses it to get to work. We have both had our cars broken into whilst parked on the road and so have other people.

"People say 'why not go to Lea Green?' but you can't get the express train from there and people have season tickets so why shouldn't they use that station?"

Merseytravel says there are plans to expand the parking area.

A spokesperson said: “Merseytravel with the station operator, Northern Rail, are in the process of developing a scheme to expand the car park facility at St Helens Junction by around 180 spaces, subject to completion of design work and securing necessary funding.

“In the interim we have raised Mr Barrow-Yates’ concerns with regard to inconsiderate parking and parking of non-rail user vehicles within the car park with Northern Rail, who manage and operate the station and car park, and have requested that they consider options for improvement. We have also raised the issue of on street parking with St Helens Council.”

A council spokesman added: “Parking restrictions have now been introduced on certain streets and, in consultation with residents, more are planned.

"The new restrictions will help ease the problem until the new car park becomes operational."

Northern Rail added: “Our car park management team are aware of the misuse of the car park and are carrying out regular checks to address this situation.”