THE design of a zig zag footpath in a busy Winchester train station car park has been criticised by city councillors.

The path takes a detour around steel supports and increases the chance of people colliding with cars.

Liberal Democrat city councillors have slammed the poor design of the intended path through the new car park - and are pushing South West Trains to come up with a better solution.

Martin Tod said: "When the overwhelming majority of travellers go to the station on foot, and when huge numbers of young people are using it to get to school or college, it's completely barmy that we've ended up with a zig zag path through a poorly lit car park.

Pedestrians aren't even able to walk on the path in a straight line - it swerves back and forth into the path of the traffic."

Cllrs Liz Kessler and Lucille Thompson met South West Trains to ask for a safer path along the edge of the car park next to the trees.

Liz said: "While the car park was being built, there was a convenient path along the edge of the site next to the trees. That would be much more sensible - and that's what we're pushing for. The currently proposed path is so bonkers that no-one will use it."

South West Trains were asked to comment and said: “The new station car park at Winchester has been designed and constructed with safety in mind. The walkways are clearly marked and we have installed improved lighting within the car park for the extra parking spaces delivered with the rebuild.

“The interior metal pillars that can be seen inside the car park are a required safety feature to ensure structural stability."