PROPOSALS to extend the Park and Ride car park at Whitlocks End railway station have been unveiled.
Residents have been invited to voice their views about the plans which will see the number of parking spaces doubled at the site, by 261 spaces – taking it from having 304 to 565 bays.
An event will be held for residents to go along and have their say and ask questions of Centro staff on board a Network West Midlands exhibition bus at the station on Wednesday (March 23) between 4pm and 7pm.
Residents can also fill out an online questionnaire by March 30.
Views will then form part of the outline planning application to be submitted to Solihull Council in spring/summer 2016.
The scheme has been put forward by Centro, the delivery arm of the West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority (ITA).
The expansion will also include seven disabled spaces, CCTV, cameras and help point facility linked to the Network Safety and Security Centre, landscaping, an extension to the pond, and security fencing.
Subject to permission being granted Centro will then seek funding to extend the car park.
Since 1997, the company and its partners have invested more than £15million in Park and Rides to provide more than 8,000 free spaces at 38 rail stations and three Midland Metro stops across the region.
It is calculated, that it has taken more than three million journeys off the region’s roads each year, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by at least 6,000 tonnes.
Coun Richard Worrall, acting lead member for rail and Midland Metro for the ITA’s transport delivery committee which oversees the work of Centro, has urged residents to get involved.
He added: “People’s views are important to us because they help us shape projects like this.
“The car park at Whitlocks End is regularly full by around 9am and we want to extend it to encourage more people to travel by train and relieve on-street parking.
“We will also be seeking to improve access to the bus stop outside, so please let us know what you think.”
Visit www.centro.org.whitlocks to fill out a questionnaire.
