Rugby MP Mark Pawsey (centre) alongside the Chair of Rugby Rail Users Group, Stephanie Clifford (right) and RRUG member Tim Hosker (left) at Rugby Station car park following the announcement that prices are to rise in September
Rugby MP Mark Pawsey has expressed his concern over the planned increase to parking charges at Rugby Station.
The proposals, announced by Virgin Trains last week, sees commuters parking at the station facing price rises of up to 50%. In addition, the off peak weekday ticket priced at £4 is to be withdrawn, meaning that anyone parking at the station will have to pay the daily rate of £9.
On learning of the plans by Virgin to increase the prices, Mark has met with Rugby Rail Users Group to discuss their concerns over these changes. Mark has also written to Virgin Trains and the Rail Minister to ask how this excessive increase can be justified.
Mark commented:
“I was extremely disappointed to learn that Virgin are planning these price increases. Many commuters, myself included, rely on the car park at Rugby Station in order to travel to London, Birmingham or elsewhere for work. To impose such a huge increase in prices for commuters is very concerning, especially at a time when we are trying to encourage rail use.”
Mark continued:
“Rugby has a great transport offer and I fear that this decision will make our town less attractive to businesses and commuters. I have written both to the Managing Director at Virgin Trains and to Paul Maynard MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport to express both my concerns and the concerns of local residents about these proposals.”
Mark concluded:
“I have called, both in meetings with Virgin and in Westminster, for improvements to be made to the capacity of the car parks and to repair the signage. I hope that Virgin will reconsider these increases and instead focus on investing in Rugby Station to help meet the growing demand for their services.”
Stephanie Clifford, Chair of Rugby Rail Users Group, added:
“Rugby Rail Users Group is astonished at this second very large price increase in two years. Most surprising is the decision to remove the weekday off-peak rate. It is likely that by the autumn, the car parks will still be full, but we will be paying big city prices.”