Connect with us

News

Stop fretting, says council, £1.1m Manea car park part of ‘long term vision’

Avatar photo

Published

on

Despite there being just one car parked there at lunchtime today, Fenland District Council insists the 112-space car park at Manea has been built to service the area “as it grows over coming decades”.

The £1.1m car park is now in its third week and today the council issued a press statement urging passengers to “enjoy the benefits of the new Manea Railway Station car park.

“The free Fenland District Council car park opened earlier this month and is intended to be big enough to serve the station and area as it grows over coming decades”.

Originally the car park at Manea was promised for completion in April of 2022. Today though that’s all forgotten as it finally opened.

Originally the car park at Manea was promised for completion in April of 2022. All that’s  forgotten as it finally opened.

Cllr Chris Seaton, portfolio holder for transport, said: “People can now park at Manea station free-of-charge and travel to destinations near and far – not only Cambridge, Ely, and Peterborough but on to the wider country.

“This car park is not only a huge asset for now, but also very much an investment into the future vitality of Fenland.

“We have very intentionally created enough parking capacity to exceed current use of Manea station – a long term vision we have consistently expressed during the years of work it has taken to secure the land, funding, and infrastructure for the car park.

“Manea station car park is part of a long-term strategy to create demand for increased and improved rail services for Fenland to support the council’s ambitions for housing and economic growth and improved prosperity in the district.

“Before the station had a car park it was not feasible to promote use of it beyond those few people who could easily walk to it or get there by other connecting public transport. Now the station is very much open for use to people from a wider area.

Plans to create new car parks at Manea and Whittlesea railway stations were among the raft of improvements for Fenland stations being delivered through Fenland District Council’s Railway Station Masterplans scheme, funded by £9.5 million from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority. PHOTO: Terry Harris

Plans to create new car parks at Manea and Whittlesea railway stations were among the raft of improvements for Fenland stations being delivered through Fenland District Council’s Railway Station Masterplans scheme, funded by £9.5 million from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority. PHOTO: Terry Harris

“We know our residents want improved and increased rail services and we’ll be continuing to press rail service providers for that.”

Advertisements
canopyuk.com in-article

He said the car park is designed to serve a catchment area of more than 19,000 people, including Manea, Doddington and Wimblington, Chatteris and Welney.

A council spokesperson said: “An ‘official’ opening is planned soon, but the car park is already open and available for motorists to use. It opened to motorists on August 7.

“The car park, open 5.30am to 10.30pm, includes 100 parking spaces, disabled bays, a cycle shelter, CCTV, and low energy lighting.

“The car park is part of a raft of improvements for Fenland stations being delivered through Fenland District Council’s Railway Station Masterplans scheme, funded by £9.5 million from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority.”

Plans to create new car parks at Manea and Whittlesea railway stations were among the raft of improvements for Fenland stations being delivered through Fenland District Council’s Railway Station Masterplans scheme, funded by £9.5 million from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority. PHOTO: Terry Harris

Plans to create new car parks at Manea and Whittlesea railway stations were among the raft of improvements for Fenland stations being delivered through Fenland District Council’s Railway Station Masterplans scheme, funded by £9.5 million from the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority. PHOTO: Terry Harris

The spokesperson added: “The opening of the car park was delayed due to problems with CCTV installation.”

Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs for Greater Anglia said: “We are really pleased that the car park at Manea has been extended.

“It means there is now the capacity to encourage more sustainable journeys on the rail network to/from Manea, using our comfortable and reliable new trains.

“Instead of having to drive to March, Ely or maybe even Peterborough before catching the train, passengers can now make a more local trip to Manea and board the train there, thereby helping to reduce pollution and congestion.

“We would like to thank Fenland District Council and all the other partners involved in this project.”

 

Facebook

Read More

News1 month ago

Ely ‘hit and run’ driver sought after cyclist left with serious injuries

Cyclist injured in crash with a grey car in Lynn Road, Ely

News1 month ago

WATCH: Police retrieve machete and cannabis from Peterborough drug dealer

Offender caught again whilst on bail for first offence

News1 month ago

BREAKING: Cambridgeshire County Council ‘truly sorry’ after it admits liability for 3 fatalities on Guided Busway

Council 'fully acknowledges the serious historic failings'

News1 month ago

WATCH: ‘You got me fair and square’ Wisbech burglar tells police in Peterborough

He was arrested in Peterborough city centre on 26 April

News1 month ago

WATCH: Police raid cannabis ‘factory’ inside Alconbury Weston house

Cannabis arrest followed a tip off from members of the public

News1 month ago

3 things to do while in the queue for an Oasis ticket – and it’s not what you might think

Tongue in cheek post has a serious message

News1 month ago

Cambs transport charity launches scathing attack after losing subsidised bus route to Stagecoach

FACT operated the 68 Wisbech service for a number of years

News1 month ago

Mayor attacks ‘cheap theatre of negativity’ over £48m Peterborough station facelift

Labour hopes Great Northern Hotel will be in future phase of re-development

News1 month ago

Opposition to 8am to 11pm pavement wining and dining in Wisbech by Wetherspoon

In Whittlesey Wetherspoon hope to use Market Place for outdoor drinkers

News1 month ago

Cambridge ‘drug lord’ caught with loaded gun, cash, and £500,000 worth of drugs

Rahman ran a criminal enterprise across Cambridge