Greater Anglia has announced that it is preparing to improve car parking at Bury St Edmunds railway station, with the number of spaces set to triple.

Representatives of the train operator and Network Rail met with Jo Churchill MP, Suffolk County Council, West Suffolk Council, Bury Town Council, Bury Town Trust and “Our Bury St Edmunds” on 14 August to present the plans and answer questions.

The current car park at the station has 23 spaces plus two disabled bays.

The work planned by Greater Anglia will increase capacity to 74, with associated work to improve the important transport hub in terms of improved facilities and interchange.

The old station master’s house will also receive attention, thanks to a £192K grant to Greater Anglia from the Railway Heritage Trust.

The money will be used to reinstate the roof doors and windows of the Grade II listed building, which is adjacent to the main rail station.

What did the officials say?

Jo Churchill MP, who convened the meeting, commented:

“I have been campaigning for improvements for Bury St Edmunds Railway Station since I was elected back in 2015.

“I was pleased to convene a meeting at the station with stakeholders and rail users to discuss the exciting improvements planned for the station.

“I welcome the additional car parking and will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure this important transport hub in our town has the facilities passengers rightly expect.”

Cllr Mary Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs at Suffolk County Council, said,

“I welcome the news that Bury St Edmunds Railway Station will be receiving the additional car parking it needs.

“Suffolk County Council is committed to seeing the county’s railway stations improved.

“I am therefore pleased to say that we will be working with Greater Anglia, West Suffolk Council and Network Rail to improve Bury St Edmunds Railway Station and to ensure that passengers have convenient access to it by all modes of transport.

Cllr Susan Glossop, West Suffolk Council Cabinet Member for Growth, said,

“We see the Bury St Edmunds Railway Station as part of an important gateway to the town.

“It is used by more than 500,000 passengers each year and rail travel will play a major role in the future growth of business and housing in West Suffolk.

“That is why we are part of the East West Rail Consortium which has begun lobbying for Government funding to achieve half hourly services to support future passenger growth and why we are delighted that work to repair the station master’s house and to deliver 74 car parking spaces is going ahead.

“We will continue to work with Greater Anglia and other key partners to push for further improvements to the station.”

Simone Bailey, Greater Anglia’s Asset Management Director, said,

“As the popularity of rail continues to grow, it’s important that our station facilities keep up with demand and there is a real need for additional car parking spaces at this station.

“We’re pleased that our plans met with the approval and support of our partners following this meeting and look forward to commencing the work which will make life a little easier for customers in terms of improved access and facilities, and finding a new tenant for the restored station master’s house to help secure its long-term future.”

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