CAR parking charges have been introduced at Melksham Railway Station.
The charges were introduced on 1st August – however, visitors are entitled to the first 30 minutes of their stay for free.
The car park is on land owned by Wiltshire Council and is being leased by the TransWilts CIC, who are also expected to open the ‘Melksham Hub’ – a cafe with a piazza and toilets – at the station in the coming months.
A spokesperson said, “While the car park was small and on a pocket of land, free parking was possible. But with an expanded area, and with security, maintenance and land lease costs, charging is being introduced.
“Looking to the green/sustainable agenda, it should help encourage people to walk or cycle to the station, and we remain hopeful of the town bus being amended to serve the station and connect with trains this autumn.”
Operation of the car park is by Smart Parking Ltd under contract to TransWilts, who are a Department for Transport accredited Community Rail Partnership.
A grand opening event for the ‘Melksham Hub’ will be held on Friday 28th August at 10.00am.
Graham Ellis from the Melksham Rail User Group, who are supporting TransWilts CIC by helping to inform and publicise the ‘Melksham Hub’ said, “We are encouraging the public to come along, see what’s been done and what is planned, and to join in.
“And we would encourage people to use the trains and buses in Melksham – now back to nearly full timetables, all of which are on our website at http://melksh.am/go.”
For more information about the ‘Melksham Hub’ visit their new website: https://melkshamhub.co.uk
