Car park plans back on track?

As reported in the BEN, rail chiefs have approved plans to auction off land earmarked for the long-awaited overspill car park at Lostock station.

Local residents and commuters were promised improved facilities and an extended car park to reduce congestion around the popular commuter station, possibly by August.

Last summer Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, Railtrack and North Western Trains pledged to put their differences behind them and work together to improve facilities and parking at Lostock.

Rail bosses said they could no longer wait for the authorities to come up with a firm offer and pledged to put the land under the hammer to be sold to the highest bidder.

But Railtrack, who have just announced a £245 million investment programme in the region's rail network, have said they are still hopeful an agreement can be reached with the owners of the site Rail Property Ltd, to enable the car park extension to go ahead.

Railtrack spokesman Nigel Barber said: "Railtrack and Rail Property Ltd are currently in discussion concerning the car park expansion scheme at Lostock and acquisition of land for that purpose.

"Railtrack are very hopeful that this scheme will be successful and we are presently in discussion with our partners, North Western Trains, GMPTE and of course, Rail Property Ltd to ensure that this is the case."

Rail Property's area sales surveyor Frank Gradwell confirmed that discussions with Railtrack are continuing which could secure the future of the car park scheme.

He said only a small portion of the land owned by the company would be suitable for a car park and that could be withdrawn from the auction. The rest would be sold to developers.

Mr Gradwell added: "It is entirely possible that an agreement can be reached. If not, Railtrack will be as welcome as any other organisation to bid for the land at auction."

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