AN extension to the car park at Hanborough railway station is set to open early next month.

Although the 191-space parking area is now ready, Oxfordshire County Council has to complete alterations to the access from the A4095 Main Road, including a right turn lane for traffic approaching from the centre of Long Hanborough, before it can be used.

Contractors began work on Monday. The work is expected to take at least a fornight to complete.

Double yellow lines will be laid in Main Road and a number of nearby roads to prevent parking by rail passengers trying to avoid car park fees, which will be imposed for the first time at the station once the new spaces are brought into use.

The existing 55-space car park is often full by 7am, with dozens of commuters parking on nearby verges.

The number of journeys using the station has soared by 185 per cent since 1998, from 47,946 passengers that year to 136,522 in 2011-12.