WORKMEN got on track this week for a revamp of the car park at Bromsgrove railway station.

But the work left Monday morning commuters to find somewhere else to park as the 22-week project got under way.

When it's completed, the car park will provide spaces for an extra 70 cars with room for bicycles and motorbikes. Transport chiefs hope it will help clear the problems in New Road, which is the only access route. But while the work is going on, parking places will be at a premium.

"We haven't been able to provide alternative short-term parking," said Mark Haslam, West Midlands region manager for Central Trains. "We hope the disruption will be kept to a minimum and the car park will be available in stages as the work goes on."

The work is expected to last until the middle of next February as it involves reducing the levels of the car park and alteration of a retaining wall, as well as lighting and CCTV.

The project is being developed through a partnership with Worcestershire County Council, Bromsgrove District Council, Central Trains and Railtrack and could include a new booking office, waiting room facilities and extra platform space in the future, according to Mr Haslam. It could also have another car park. "The station gets a lot of use," he said. "It has been improved piecemeal over the years but now we want to put everything together."

From the end of this month, extra trains will stop at the station at off-peak times. Mr Haslam also advised regular commuters to check their timetables as there were likely to be changes to morning and evening services to and from Birmingham.