A COMMUTER has hit out at rising car parking charges at Royston railway station. Chris Holcroft of Bassingbourn is unhappy that the cost of leaving a car in the car park is set to increase from £5.20 to £5.80-a-day. The current rate was introduced only

A COMMUTER has hit out at rising car parking charges at Royston railway station.

Chris Holcroft of Bassingbourn is unhappy that the cost of leaving a car in the car park is set to increase from £5.20 to £5.80-a-day.

The current rate was introduced only in January, and this latest change means prices have risen by 20 per cent since December last year.

Mr Holcroft said: "The station car park is largely full by 7.45am, and so it would appear that the operators are exploiting high demand from a captive market.

"Coupled with overcrowded and shoddy trains, commuters are faced with ever- more punitive costs for taking public transport."

"Last month train operator First Capital Connect introduced a pay-by-mobile-phone scheme, in a bid to offer car park users more flexibility.

"Payment by mobile phone was announced for parking as an enhancement, but if anything that is a measure to streamline operating costs, not increase them," said Mr Holcroft.

A spokesman for First Capital Connect said the rail operator had invested in a number of improvements, and "the car park still offers a competitive price compared to many of the other car parks in Royston.

"We have significantly improved security, and the station car park has been accredited with the Park Mark Award that recognises security improvements, such as 24-hour CCTV monitoring and improved lighting.