Talks have taken place over plans to provide more parking at Northallerton railway station following increasing pressure on available spaces.
Representatives from TransPennine Express, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and North Yorkshire Council met to discuss the problem and potential ways of increasing capacity.
The meeting was convened by Richmond and Northallerton MP Rishi Sunak and was also attended by North Yorkshire councillors Peter Wilkinson and Caroline Dickinson.
Parking has been a longstanding issue at the station, which serves passengers from Northallerton and a wide rural area.
The problem has worsened since the closure of the nearby former Arla car park in February, which had previously provided additional spaces for rail passengers.
TransPennine Express, which manages the station car park, has developed proposals which could increase the amount of parking available.
However, securing the funding needed to deliver a scheme remains the main challenge.
The talks allowed the organisations involved to consider the proposals, potential funding and possible ways of taking the project forward.
Mr Sunak said: “I know how frustrating the situation at Northallerton station can be, and it is an issue which has been raised with me by passengers and local residents.
“TransPennine Express has done work on a proposal which could provide additional capacity. The challenge now is establishing how a scheme could be delivered and funded.
“That is why I wanted to get TransPennine Express, the Combined Authority and North Yorkshire Council around the same table, alongside Peter and Caroline, so everyone could understand the position and look at what options may be available.”
Mr Sunak has also raised the need to address parking capacity in his response to the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire’s local transport consultation and has written to the Transport Secretary about the issue.
Cllr Wilkinson said the closure of the former Arla car park had caused “significant problems”, with vehicles displaced into Romanby.
He said: “Rishi, and Romanby Parish Council, have brought together a multi-agency group to look for a solution, including extra parking at the long stay car park.”
Cllr Dickinson said the station was used by people from a much wider area than Northallerton itself.
She added: “There needs to be extra provision to accommodate all rail users, and I look forward to seeing what proposals come through.”
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