A NEW Park and Ride service could soon be built at Bidston Railway Station, if funding is granted.

However, some councillors say Birkenhead North Station would have been a better Wirral station to place the new service, which will cost £1m.

The plans for Bidston are at the detailed design stage and, if funding from the European Regional Development Fund is granted, construction could begin later this year.

Designs indicate that there will be approximately 190 spaces on a site directly south of the station adjacent to the A554/A553 roundabout junction.

It is anticipated the scheme, which will allow new access arrangements on the Bidston Station Approach Road, off Fender Lane, will also include sympathetic landscaping with the retention of existing grass verges and will have CCTV and lighting columns to meet Merseytravel’s Travelsafe requirements.

Merseytravel are about to apply for an extension to their planning permission, which expires in August, so they can start building the facility a few months later.

Merseytravel say this investment in the railway network to provide safe, free parking is a way of encouraging people to be greener by using public transport.

Bidston councillor Harry Smith said that, although this would be a good investment, he believes Birkenhead North is more in need of this service.