NEW parking spaces could be created at Cam and Dursley railway station by the end of the financial year after a £10,000 grant was awarded for improvements.

Cam Parish Council’s bid for the money from the firm which operates railways and stations in the region proved successful and work is expected to start in the coming months.

Work will be managed by Gloucestershire County Council which will ‘top up’ the work to make sure as many improvements can be made at the station as possible.

The money was awarded by Great Western Railway, which operates railways and stations throughout the region, through its Customer and Communities Improvement Fund.

In 2014, following more than five years of complaints, 17 new spaces were created at the station and, despite relieving pressure, concerns are still raised about the lack of parking.

Brian Whatling, chairman of Cam Parish Council, said that the newest scheme of improvements would help to further alleviate what is “an inherent problem”.

“Parking at the station is an inherent problem, one that we are well aware of,” he told the Gazette. “Any improvement is an advantage, especially with 450 homes in the pipeline.

“Of course this is just a drop in the ocean compared to what we need to resolve the problem but it’s a start.

“What we’re doing now is looking to a long term resolution of the parking problem.”

Six schemes were put forward by the county council for potential improvements for the parish council to choose from.

The council decided on two schemes totalling an estimated £10,000 for six additional spaces but the county council has said it is willing to ‘top-up’ funds.

Cllr Vernon Smith, Gloucestershire County Council cabinet member for highways, said: “Cam Parish Council was awarded £10,000 from Great Western Railway to make improvements to the car park at Cam and Dursley station, which is great news for people using the station.

“The parish council selected two schemes from the six options presented to them by Gloucestershire County Council, which would see new parking bays installed and improvements made to the lay out.

“We have offered to manage this project for the parish council, and will be topping this up to make the most of this opportunity.”