WORK STARTS ON NEW MULTI-STOREY CAR PARK FOR SOUTHAMPTON AIRPORT PARKWAY

Passengers are moving one step closer to improved car parking facilities at Southampton Airport Parkway with work now starting on a brand new multi-storey car park to deliver  375 additional car parking spaces.

The new car parking facility, which is being developed through a partnership between South West Trains and Network Rail, is due for completion by Summer 2011 and in addition to an increased number of car parking spaces for passengers, will also see further improvements, including a new road layout and a new station forecourt.

During the period of redevelopment, South West Trains is offering the opportunity of a guaranteed car parking space in BAA’s Short Term Multi-storey car park to monthly and longer car park season ticket holders. This will be on a first come first served basis until all 240 leased spaces are filled. There are a few spaces left, so any passengers interested in taking advantage of this offer should enquire at the ticket office at Southampton Airport Parkway.

This is the latest in a series of improvements for the station, with passengers already benefiting from a new footbridge with lifts, opened just last year and a new bicycle rack with space for 110 extra bicycles with covered shelters. This new area located on the south side of the station has been integrated within the local cycling network, making it safer and easier for cyclists to use. On the airport side, passengers arriving at Southampton Airport now have a new train departure information screen within the baggage hall.

Southampton Airport Parkway station remains completely unaffected by these works and all services will be running as normal.

Andy Pitt, Managing Director for South West Trains, said: “Southampton Airport Parkway is a fantastic hub for our passengers. Car park users will benefit from a better, larger car park with a new junction access making it even easier to connect with the M3 and other main roads in the area.

“This car park enhancement complements other programmes of work to the station, with airport passengers having better access to the airport with the station being only 99 steps away. Cyclists can also use our new cycle racks and redesigned and integrated cycling route”.

Richard O’Brien, Network Rail route director, said: “Passengers using Southampton Airport Parkway have already benefited from a range of improvements which have made the station more accessible and easier to use. When complete the new car park will provide hundreds of extra spaces, allowing many more people to get out of their cars and onto the cleaner, greener railway.”