Commuters urged to park and ride as multi-storey car park next to Longbridge Railway Station nears completion

 

One of Birmingham’s largest park and ride facilities is set to open this spring offering hundreds of commuters an alternative to traffic jams and clean air zone charges.

The multi-storey car park next to Longbridge Railway Station will soon open with 629 spaces and modern facilities including CCTV security, electric vehicle charging points, lifts and a range of fast and convenient ways to pay.

The £7.6 million five deck car park has been developed by Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), to meet soaring demand for park and ride in south Birmingham and give motorists an alternative to the busy A38 Bristol Road.

 

From the neighbouring station there are frequent train services to a range of popular destinations including Birmingham city centre, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and University of Birmingham, Sutton Coldfield as well as connections with the national rail network at New Street Station.

TfWM managing director Laura Shoaf said: “Our existing park and ride facilities, which provide more than 8,800 spaces, have proved so popular that most are full to overflowing by 8am each morning.

“So we have built a multi-storey facility which means that commuters from the south of Birmingham can be sure they will be able to find a space no matter what time of day they travel.

“This car park, one of the largest of its kind in the region, is nearly completed, so I would urge commuters to consider using it as an alternative to the Bristol Road.”

The development has been backed with £1.8 million funding from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) and Midlands Engine and the construction carried out by Bourne Parking.

There will be a fee of £3 per day to use the car park. Motorists will be able to drive straight in and pay later with a range of easy options available – including cash, contactless or credit/debit card at a ticket machine, via the Swift transport smart card or alternatively pay online.

The decision to build a five deck park and ride facility and fund it through charging was taken by the West Midlands Combined Authority Board in February 2018. Construction began in May 2019.

 

A clean air zone is being introduced in Birmingham city centre from July.