A SOLUTION to the “absolute nightmare” of parking at Haslemere station moved a step closer when town MP Jeremy Hunt announced funding was now in place for 100 more parking spaces to be built this year.

South West Trains (SWT) confirmed last April it had sufficient funds to build a “simple” car park at Haslemere but did not say when the money would be available. The train operator is investing £50 million in customer improvements across the network as part of an agreement with the Department for Transport

Godalming and Farnham stations will also benefit from the investment.

County councillor Nikki Barton welcomed the go-ahead for a single-deck rather than the “inappropriate” multi-storey car park originally proposed,which she described as like dropping “a car park the size of two jumbo jets into the middle of this small market town”.

Mr Hunt has backed the discussions over the last two years between the the Transport Minister, Network Rail, SWT, and councillors from the town, county and borough to formulate an action plan to provide the extra spaces needed at Haslemere station, culminating in the announcement last Friday.

The proposal is to erect an upper deck above the existing car park next to platform one. This week, Network Rail confirmed planning consent was deemed granted under general permitted development, but the scheme will be subject to final approval by Waverley Borough Council.

Provided full permission is granted, work will start on the new car park over the summer and be completed by the autumn.

SWT is currently bidding to renew its South Western franchise from 2017 in the Department for Transport competition to select a new operator.

Mr Hunt told The Herald the proposed car park scheme was not dependent on SWT getting the franchise and it would go ahead regardless.

“This is excellent news,” Mr Hunt said. “The issue of car parking is an absolute nightmare for many in Haslemere. As rail services have got better that has attracted more passengers, who need parking from farther afield.

“I don’t think this will solve the whole problem but it will go a long way.

“The next stage is to make sure the design is attractive and we are happy with the look of it. It will not only help train users and residents but will hopefully make Haslemere an even more attractive option for those London commuters looking to move or relocate to the area and allay their fears of not enough station parking.”

Plans to build a multi-storey car park have been pursued by the town council for 10 years. Waverley granted planning consent for a new station car park with 463 spaces in 2009 – but the scheme was dropped as financially unviable.

The project was revived in 2011 when SWT and Network Rail made a joint funding bid to the Department for Transport, but supporters had to keep battling when the bid was turned down in December 2011.

Haslemere Mayor Melanie Odell, who joined Mr Hunt and SWT representatives with fellow town councillors at the station on Friday, said: “It is 10 years since the then mayor, councillor Michael Dover, sought to enlarge the parking facilities for Haslemere station and ever since then, Haslemere Town Council has lobbied for more parking for our commuters.

“We are very pleased we now see this project coming to fruition and would like to thank SWT for their investment in our town and all who have supported us for many years, especially our MP, Jeremy Hunt.”

Mrs Barton has been involved in the joint discussions with SWT to formulate an action plan and welcomed the agreement for a scaled-down version of the original car park scheme.

“First and foremost, it is very good news that we have secured commitment from SWT for an appropriate scale of increase in car parking at the station,” she said. “Secondly, it is extraordinary that Jeremy Hunt views this as a victory, given he has spent the last six years trying – and thankfully failing – to drop a car park the size of two jumbo jets into the middle of this small market town without full consideration of the impacts, how it fits into a vision for the town and what alternative options might exist.

“I cannot tell whether or not he has actually listened to the voice of so many in the community who have called for an integrated transport and car parking solution, rather than the narrow ‘bigger is better’ mindset. However, I do welcome that he has at last implicitly conceded the points that I have been making for the past three years.

“I would impress upon our MP and the town council the importance of the tremendous efforts spearheaded through Haslemere Vision and the newly created Haslemere Station Community Partnership, which provide great channels for engagement on the wider opportunities for the good of our whole community.”

Proof that station parking was a key issue in the town was dramatically demonstrated by the record 700 responses received in less than a week to a Haslemere Vision station travel survey in conjunction with SWT, which opened last week and closes on February 10.

Planning consultants Harris Ethical said it was the biggest response in the shortest time it had ever received at any station in the UK it had conducted surveys for.

A total of 7,000 survey cards were circulated through the town and the survey can also be completed online at www. goo.gl/UrgK5Z

Responses will be used to develop a Haslemere station travel plan to ease the transport problems and provide better access.