I recently met with representatives from Great Western Railway, Worcestershire County Council and County Councillor Linda Robinson to discuss both the successes of Worcestershire Parkway and the improvements that are now needed as the station continues to grow.
Worcestershire Parkway has been a fantastic addition to our county. It has significantly improved connectivity for our rural communities, strengthened links to London and beyond, and played an important role in supporting economic growth alongside developments such as Worcester Six.
There is also some good news. A permanent café will soon be opening within the station, replacing the existing coffee cart outside. It will be operated by the same team, so passengers can continue to enjoy the same excellent coffee, now from a permanent facility inside the station.
However, it is clear there are still improvements that need to be made.
We discussed the need for more seating, both within the station and on the platforms, as well as creating a warmer, enclosed waiting area for passengers during the winter months.
Perhaps the biggest challenge, however, is parking.
With around 500,000 passengers now using Worcestershire Parkway each year, the station has become a victim of its own success. Particularly between Tuesday and Thursday, the car park is regularly full, leaving commuters uncertain whether they will be able to park and, in some cases, forcing them to use other stations or park on surrounding roads.
I will therefore be writing to the Rail Minister to seek funding to support these improvements. This includes creating a better internal waiting area, increasing seating throughout the station and, crucially, delivering a long-term solution to the parking issues.
Whether that is through a park and ride, a multi-storey car park or the acquisition of land for expansion, we must ensure Worcestershire Parkway has the infrastructure it needs to support the growing number of passengers who rely on it every day.
