BLAKEDOWN residents can have their say on plans to build a new car park near the railway station.

The proposed car park, off Lynwood Drive, would provide parking for up to 87 cars, including six bays for users with reduced mobility and five electric vehicle charging points.

Parish councillors in Blakedown previously raised concerns about traffic congestion in the area should future redevelopment plans go ahead.

The project also sets out to improve the footways from the car park to Blakedown station, including a crossing with drop-kerbs across Station Drive.

Worcestershire County Council has said the project would "seek to retain the existing boundary vegetation with Lynwood Drive."

The council posted on its website: "There is currently very limited car parking at Blakedown station resulting in station users parking on Station Drive and neighbouring roads, driving to other stations or making their whole journey by car.

"The Worcestershire Rail Investment Strategy identified the shortfall in car parking at Blakedown station as a constraint to future rail passenger growth at this station.

"Blakedown station car park will help those who wish to move away from travel by private car to access public transport, thereby reducing congestion and improving air quality on key corridors."

The council is holding a "pre-planning public engagement exercise" between October 11 and November 7, where people can send in their comments.

There will be two community drop-in events at the Blakedown Parish Rooms, one on October 13 from 2pm to 5pm, and another on October 15 from 4.30pm to 7pm

People can send their comments to the council by emailing majorprojects@worcestershire.gov.uk, including the reference ‘Blakedown.’

Residents can also send their comments by post by writing to Major Projects, Blakedown Public Engagement, Pavilion A1, County Hall, Spetchley Road, Worcester, Worcestershire, WR5 2N.

Residents will have another opportunity to make comments on the proposals during the planning consultation process.