MERSEYTRAVEL'S Rail Committee has approved a scheme to buy the former Motorail terminal to provide parking for 65 vehicles at Newton-le-Willows railway station.

The decision is great news for local residents who have been pressing continually for a car park to be constructed for passengers who park their cars outside their homes.

And it is seen as a forerunner of a much bigger scheme to completely modernise the station.

St Helens councillor and Merseytravel Rail Committee chair, Councillor Terry Hanley, said it was essential that the car parking spaces were created as soon as possible.

He said: "Newton-le-Willows attracts some 3,000 passengers a week. Unfortunately many of them have been coming to the station by car and parking outside people's homes. This is most inconvenient and dangerous for many local residents".

Plans have already been announced for a complete revitalisation for Newton-le-Willows under Merseytravel's ambitious half-a-billion pound five-year transport programme.

New facilities at the station will include:

Bus interchange with high-quality, well-lit waiting facilities.

Hyper-modern station with booking office and equal access for all.

CCTV and high intensity lighting as standard for passenger safety.

It is hoped that work will start in two years.