Mind the gap in parking fees

Commuters face a startling disparity in parking charges when they leave their cars at railways stations around the West Midlands, figures reveal.

All railways stations in the region are owned by Network Rail but almost all are leased to either Virgin Trains or Central Trains.

Fees vary depending on which company operates the station and where it is located. Motorists at Birmingham New Street station are hit the hardest.

It is the only station in the West Midlands that is operated by Network Rail and the NCP car park charges £55 for a four-hour stay and a further £20 for every 60 minutes thereafter.

The GMB trade union has criticised the tariff, saying the £3.90 charge to park for up to one hour at the station and higher charges for longer stays make it one of the most expensive in the country.

Network Rail says the car park at New Street is intended as a drop-off area and offers free parking for 20 minutes. Charges apply after 20 minutes to dissuade long-term parking.

A company spokesman said that any profit which was made was put back into the railway network.

Virgin Trains operates Wolverhampton and Stafford stations and charges a flat rate of £6 for a day's parking at each.

Many of the smaller stations in the Black Country, such as Walsall and Smethwick, do not have their own car parks.

Others which are on the local train routes operated by Central Trains such as Stourbridge Junction, Cradley Heath and Rowley Regis are free. Taxpayers fund the facility through their contributions to West Midlands public transport body Centro.

Kidderminster station falls outside the Centro area, so charges do apply. But despite having a direct link to London with its Chiltern service, the station charges only £3 for a day's parking.