A 'RIDICULOUS sum of money' is causing delays to plans for a new car park at Pershore Railway Station according to an MP.

MP for West Worcestershire Harriett Baldwin has asked for a breakdown of costs for a bridge to pass from the station to the new car park, believing that Great Western Railway and National Rail are pricing themselves out of the deal.

Plans have been in motion for a new station car park for several years, with the current car park offering 17 free spaces and Carlton Smith Ltd, a business opposite, offering around 30 slots to commuters for paid-for parking.

Mrs Baldwin said: "There is a long-running issue with the configuration of car parking spaces at Pershore station and I have fully supported Wychavon District Council’s efforts to find an alternative solution to give the town’s rail users extra parking capacity.

“Unfortunately, between them, Network Rail and Great Western Railway want a ridiculous sum of money to build a bridge over the tracks connecting the station to a potential new car park, so currently so any alternative plan is prohibitively expensive.

“I have asked for a breakdown of the costs for this bridge so we can try and find a solution to this problem, and I continue to hope that we will be able to offer many more spaces at Pershore train station before too long.”

A Great Western Railway spokesman said that the responsibility for the costs of the bridge were with National Rail.

The spokesman said: "We share Harriett’s aspirations. We also want to see more car parking at Pershore and are working closely with Wychavon to bring plans to fruition.

"Railway bridges need to meet very high standards and while Network Rail standards must be met, we are keen to see the necessary infrastructure delivered for as low a cost as possible.

“We are very happy to meet with Harriet and run through the requirements and indeed to work with her, the council and others to identify funding that will help with the cost.”

A National Rail spokesman said: "We are working with GWR and are still assessing options, however no firm decisions have been made at this stage. We are also keen to work with Harriett Baldwin on this issue.”

Vic Allison, deputy managing director of Wychavon District Council added that the council want to help with the new car park but that the emphasis was with the rail companies to accelerate the movement.

A train station user, who did not wish to be named said: "Pershore train station car park has around 17-20 car parking spaces which are free to use for rail travellers. This is fantastic - free parking.

"Local rails users have to fight for a space with passengers who leave their car there on a Monday and don’t bother picking it up again until Friday."