West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed confirmation that the Government has given approval for plans to add a new station car park in Pershore.

The extra parking space will be linked by a new footbridge which will be installed adding hundreds of new spaces for commuters. The current car park will be retained to add extra spaces for disabled and less-able rail users.

Harriett has championed the plan for over five years and has held meetings with senior rail chiefs and a series of Government Ministers to press for support for the new car park.

The plan stalled because Network Rail, and then the Department for Transport, needed to approve the new step bridge.

Harriett worked with local stakeholders including the local town council, district councillors and the Cotswold Line Promotion Group to ensure that these plans would be supported by local people.

Harriett said: “I have consistently called for better use of Pershore train station and faster, more frequent, more reliable services along the Cotswold Line and adding extra capacity at the station car part are important parts of this ambition.

“The Department for Transport has approved this proposal to add the car park and a new footbridge after much hard work from Wychavon District Council and lobbying in Westminster to make the case for these improvement for all rail users.

“I’ve always held the view that if you don’t ask, you don’t get, and in this case it has been quite a battle to get all the various stakeholders onside and working together.

“This is great news for local rail users and when we get through this Covid travel hiatus, the station will form an important part of our green travel recovery plan.”