We are increasingly concerned at the high cost of car parking at many rail stations.

The Per Day Charge at Peterborough is now £10. Cambridge and Ipswich are £6 and Norwich £6.50.

These charges are worrying because:
* High charges deter people from using the train.
* For short journeys parking could be more than the train fare.
* It will lead to more people being dropped off at stations rather than parking so leading to more car traffic.

These rises have occurred because parking charges are not capped, unlike some fares, so they are an asy target for train operators.

Railfuture believes that:
* Charges should be capped and increases linked to car park improvements.
* To encourage people to travel by bus to station bus fares should be made cheaper - but it appears that many people will not use the bus.
* Bus operators need to improve services especially early morning and late evening. A 10-minute frequency during the day dropping to every hour by 19.00 is not good enough for rail passengers who may be returning late.

Press release issued by Peter Lawrence - Railfutrue President and Vice-Chairman of East Anglia Branch.
Tel: 01603 627217. Mobile: 0788 4194510.