WORK to increase car parking at St Helens Junction station from 66 places to 242 has been confirmed as part of a £820,000 scheme.

The expansion of the Station Road site in Sutton is set to start in October, financed through the Government Sustainable Transport Enhancement Package (STEP) and Merseytravel funding.

The improved facility will include an increased number of blue badge spaces, better walking routes within the site and upgraded lighting and CCTV coverage upon completion, scheduled for March 2018.

The increased car parking spaces will be provided by expanding into unused railway owned land and re-marking of the current bays.

Cllr John Fulham, St Helens Council’s cabinet member for growth, said: “I’d like to thank the three local Sutton councillors who’ve campaigned consistently for this scheme and our partners at the City Region Combined Authority for the funding.

“I know residents and rail users will welcome this overdue development which will really relieve congestion and benefit the community at large."

Cllr Liam Robinson, chair of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Transport Committee which oversees the work of Merseytravel, added, “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, taking the pressure off residents and traders, whilst giving the opportunity to more people to park and ride from the station.”

The existing car park will remain open during the redevelopment.