WORK on increasing the size of the car park at Winchester railway station is due to start on Monday, November 25.

South West Trains and Network Rail warn there will be disruption through the construction which should finish by March 2014.

The new single-storey decked car park will boost the current car park to 266 spaces.

The £1.5m project, funded through a Department for Transport initiative, will will provide much-needed extra parking for commuters.

SWT warn that existing spaces will need to be restricted with a short-duration total closure expected.

Access to the existing car park will be changed at different intervals during the project and passengers are advised to allow more time for their journey to and from the station while the work takes place. Priority will be given to car park season ticket holders before 10am.

Arthur Pretorius, deputy customer service director for the SWT-Network Rail Alliance, said: “Winchester station serves over four million passengers a year and the new multi-storey car park will create welcome capacity for car users.

“We are working closely with our contractors to keep our car park open as much as possible, albeit with fewer spaces available. We are also providing alternative car parking arrangements within walking distance of the station. We will keep any complete closure to the minimum and will keep passengers informed well in advance.”

Train services and the station access will continue as normal throughout the construction phase.