The extended car park at Littleport railway station opened for the first time this morning - and the first customer even won a bottle of champagne.

Ely Standard: The extended car park at Littleport railway station opened for the first time on Friday morning (December 22). PHOTO: Mike RouseThe extended car park at Littleport railway station opened for the first time on Friday morning (December 22). PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

Councillor Bill Hunt, assisted by Littleport councillors David and Christine Ambrose-Smith, Jo Webber and Paul Cox, opened the car park with a ribbon cutting. They also presented the first customer with a bottle of champagne to celebrate.

Cllr Bill Hunt, chairman of the ECDC Asset Development Committee, said: “This is a fantastic addition and we are thrilled to have been able to fulfil this promise to residents before the end of 2017.

Ely Standard: The extended car park at Littleport railway station opened for the first time on Friday morning (December 22). PHOTO: Mike RouseThe extended car park at Littleport railway station opened for the first time on Friday morning (December 22). PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

“It is of vital importance to us at East Cambridgeshire District Council that we encourage commuters off the A10 and to provide viable alternatives to get to work”.

He added that prices for the new car park will remain the same until at least May 2019.

Ely Standard: The extended car park at Littleport railway station opened for the first time on Friday morning (December 22). PHOTO: Mike RouseThe extended car park at Littleport railway station opened for the first time on Friday morning (December 22). PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)

“It is also important that we provide the facilities for those wanting to travel via the new Cambridge North station and the pending Cambridge South station.

In the New Year, new bike racks and planting will be installed.

Ely Standard: The extended car park at Littleport railway station opened for the first time on Friday morning (December 22). PHOTO: Mike RouseThe extended car park at Littleport railway station opened for the first time on Friday morning (December 22). PHOTO: Mike Rouse (Image: Archant)