3:02pm Wednesday 1st September 2010
By Simon Farr
CONSTRUCTION on a new multi-storey car park and transport interchange at High Wycombe train station is to begin on Tuesday.
The new car park will bolster the amount of parking available to commuters at the station off Amersham Hill by 200 spaces, taking the capacity up to 650 parking spots.
A transport interchange will also be constructed in the entry to the station forecourt to 'improve traffic management' and enable buses to drop off and pick up commuters.
Work on the £5m project is due to begin on Tuesday and Chiltern Railways says it expects it to be completed by March. Parking fees for the new car park have yet to be revealed.
Chad Collins, general manager south of Chiltern Railways, said: “This is going to change travel for commuters of High Wycombe station, making it easier to get to the station by bus or by car.
“This comes at a time when we are also currently completing a £250 million investment to give passengers a quicker commute, reducing the journey time from High Wycombe station to London Marylebone to just 25 minutes for the May 2011 timetable.”
80 parking spaces adjacent to the Goods Shed building will be out of action during this period but they will be relocated into the new multi-storey car park.
Further parking spaces will also be closed off as the construction progresses but the rail firm says passengers will be kept updated via noticeboards and its website.
Commuters are urged to use alternative town centre car parks, the Cressex Park & Ride, Beaconsfield or Great Missenden train stations or the Chiltern Carshare scheme.
Mr Collins added: “There is going to be disruption for our passengers who drive to the station.
"We are working with Wycombe District Council and Buckinghamshire County Council to provide alternative parking for our passengers.”
For more information and train timetables visit www.chilternrailways.co.uk or visit www.chilterncarshare.co.uk for more information on the car share scheme.
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