Calls to extend the car parks at railway stations across north Derbyshire - including Chesterfield

Calls have been made to extend the car park at Chesterfield railway station – amid claims it is too small and fills up quickly.
By Jon Ball
Published 23rd Mar 2021, 12:41 BST
Updated 23rd Mar 2021, 13:26 BST
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There have also been calls to extend the parking spaces at both Alfreton and Langley Mill stations, on the main line between Chesterfield and Nottingham, for similar reasons.

Rail-user Paul Brown, said: “If there is to be some consideration of improvements to local rail services and stations it would be useful to expand the car parking facilities.

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“The station car parks at Chesterfield and Alfreton are so small as to be full by early morning under normal circumstances even though there is plenty of room for expansion.

“There is a large area of open land adjacent to Langley Mill station which could also be a car park.

“Perhaps the provision of extra spaces would encourage local people to take leisure trips to Chesterfield on market days.”

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Car park demand to be analysed

Calls have been made to expand the parking facilities at Chesterfield Railway Station.Calls have been made to expand the parking facilities at Chesterfield Railway Station.
Calls have been made to expand the parking facilities at Chesterfield Railway Station.

The stations are owned by Network Rail, which is responsible for Britain’s railway infrastructure, but managed by East Midlands Railway, which operates trains serving the stations.

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EMR said demand is currently low, with travel discouraged under lockdown rules, but it would assess it going forward.

A spokesman said: “We will be analysing how the anticipated change to ‘normal’ working and commuting patterns affects our car parks.

“With this data, we will be able to understand future demand, before considering if there needs to be any expansion of parking.”

Reader Paul Brown says the station car park at Chesterfield is so small as to be full by early morning under normal circumstances.Reader Paul Brown says the station car park at Chesterfield is so small as to be full by early morning under normal circumstances.
Reader Paul Brown says the station car park at Chesterfield is so small as to be full by early morning under normal circumstances.

Gary Walsh, Network Rail route director, said: “Car park provision is something we’re continuously working on with our stakeholders, particularly at present as we try to understand what post-Covid travel plans might look like.”

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Chesterfield Council is already looking at the station environment, with a plan to bring “unused and underused” land around the station back to life, while the nearby Chesterfield Waterside development includes plans for a multi-storey car park.

A council spokesman said: “Our Station Masterplan is a key element of our regeneration vision.

“We want to create a vibrant gateway to North Derbyshire, better connect this key site to our town centre and bring unused and underused land back to life.

Paul Brown says the car park at Alfreton railway station is too small.Paul Brown says the car park at Alfreton railway station is too small.
Paul Brown says the car park at Alfreton railway station is too small.

“Better access to the station for all road users, including pedestrians, public transport, cyclists and enhanced parking provision was outlined in our plan.”

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Related topics:ChesterfieldEast Midlands RailwayNetwork RailNorth Derbyshire