PLANS to relieve traffic chaos in Aston Fields by building a new car park at Bromsgrove Railway Station were rubberstamped yesterday (Tuesday).

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has awarded Worcestershire County Council £180,000 to improve the town's railway station.

County council planning and regulatory committee members have now granted planning permission for the construction of a car park, revised parking and access arrangements on New Road, and new facilities at the station entrance for taxis and parking spaces for the disabled.

Secure cycle storage facilities will also be installed, as well as signage to promote the use of bicycles.

Security is also being addressed. Railway chiefs want to increase lighting at the train station and install a closed-circuit television system.

There were concerns that the project would be hindered by Railtrack which has leased a freight yard, with access rights to the station, to another company.

However, Cllr June Longmuir (Con, Bromsgrove.South) said Railtrack has assured the council planning committee that the solution to this problem would be resolved by the time works begin in August.

She added: "This is the first phase of our plans to improve the station and relieve congestion problems.

"I'm hoping a second phase will see a car parking area for 200 cars and possibly a new road which would run parallel to Stoke Road, by-passing the village of Aston Fields."