New railway station car park with more than double the spaces opens in Castle Cary
A new car park with 193 spaces opened in Castle Cary last week. The new car park - which has more than double the spaces of the previous car park- opened outside Castle Cary train station on Thursday, May 16.
The site includes four spaces for electric vehicles (EVs) and an accessible route between the car park and station. There are also plans to add a temporary footbridge for Glastonbury Festival this summer, as well as a permanent steps-free footbridge to make the station more accessible.
Cllr Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Transport and Digital said: “It’s great news that the new car park is operational, with hugely increased capacity. Castle Cary Train Station is one of Somerset’s key transport hubs, it’s extremely well-used and travellers along with local people are well-aware of the problems we’ve had in the past due to the lack of parking."
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The Liberal Democrat councillor continued: "It’s a vital improvement for train users and for the town and wider public.”
Great Western Railway (GWR) Business Assurance Director Joe Graham said that the work is far from over: “Working with our partners we are committed to improving the railway, enabling more people to take advantage of the train services we offer, and we are delighted that work to this very much needed car park has been completed. Helping to support the communities we serve this opening is super news for rail and wider sustainable transport choices across the local area.
“We’re not stopping there. We are forwarding plans for an accessible lift bridge at the station, providing funding to Network Rail to help develop designs.”
Paul Rawson from local hotel The Newt in Somerset added: “The Newt in Somerset has forged a strong partnership with GWR working together to deliver major place-making improvements to the station at Castle Cary. The excellent new car park and ramp access will hugely benefit rail users as well as guests visiting The Creamery, which will open next month.
"Our parallel projects, both rooted in the celebration of local heritage, have helped to make Castle Cary Station a really exciting destination.”