A car park at a busy railway station is set to be extended.

East Anglian Daily Times: Manningtree car park Picture: GOOGLE MAPSManningtree car park Picture: GOOGLE MAPS (Image: Archant)

The NCP car park at Manningtree railway station currently has 561 parking spaces but is set to gain an additional 220 after a £1.5m investment from Greater Anglia.

Mark Kraft, business manager for National Car Park (NCP), said: “Plans have been approved to extend the Manningtree train station car park by 220 additional spaces by September 2019.

“This will be done in two stages - the extension of the surface area and the extension of the deck.

“The extension of the surface area should be completed by summer 2019 with the extension of the deck shortly after. Work will start in February 2019.”

A Greater Anglia spokesperson said: “Work is due to start next spring to create 220 new parking spaces, including 20 spaces for blue badge holders.

“This is part of our plans to invest £60 million in stations across East Anglia and increase parking.”

The news comes after a commuter voiced her frustration of the lack of parking at the station after she received a parking fine.

Jennie Gamlin uses the station to commute to London every day but struggles to find a space to park.

The university lecturer cannot afford to miss her train when the car park is full so she has had to pay for a parking ticket but park in a space without a designated bay. Despite paying for a parking ticket, she was left with a £75 fine.

She said: “Commuters have no other choice but to park there as there is not alternative car park close to the station.

“We all pay for our train tickets and have no choice but to get on our designated train journey, we don’t have time to drop our car anywhere else when the car park is full.

“I parked in a safe place, I wasn’t blocking anybody in or inconveniencing anyone but still received a parking ticket.

“Thousands of commuters rely on this train station and many pay for their parking spaces in advance yet when they arrive they can’t find a space.”

Jennie has lodged an appeal and complaint against the penalty and is waiting to hear back.