Commuters that use Ely railway station could be set to receive a boost of 100 additional parking spaces if a planning application submitted by East Cambridgeshire District Council is approved.

The council has purchased land close to the Tesco ‘Click and Collect’ depot at The Dock, and it is hoped that over 100 car parking spaces and a lit walkway to the station’s existing car park will be built.

The station currently has 143 spaces for parking, and it is expected that the cost of parking in the new spaces will be the same as the Angel Drove car park - £3 per day or £12 per week.

Chairman of the Asset Development Committee, Councillor Bill Hunt says that work will begin as soon as plans are submitted and approved.

He said: “I’m delighted to announce that we have acquired this land with the express aim of providing new, more convenient and safer parking close to Ely railway station.

“It will be of great benefit to commuters and other train users and we are providing a convenient lit walkway to link up with the existing car park.

“The next stage is to draw up detailed plans and apply for full planning approval. If the plans are approved, we will aim to start work on this car park as soon as possible.”

Lib Dem councillor, Lorna Dupre, also welcomed the proposed new parking spaces. She said: “Parking for users of the station has been under pressure for some time. Additional spaces will be welcome to serve the needs of Ely’s expanding population, and encourage more people to travel by public transport to Cambridge and elsewhere.”