BUILDING work at a Winchester Station car park is causing friction further up the line because commuters are travelling from Micheldever instead.

Work on a new decked car park on Winchester’s southbound side, next to Andover Road, began last November.

As a result only commuters with monthly or annual parking season tickets are currently allowed use the main northbound car park before 10am.

So many travelling into London are forced to leave their cars elsewhere, or have switched to use Micheldever Station, 10 miles nearer to the capital.

The car park there is now full by 7.30am, with those arriving later forced to leave their vehicles on grass verges, in nearby lanes or in a residential cul-de-sac.

Landlady Sharon Jackson said police had recently ticketed three vehicles left on double yellow lines outside her pub, The Dove Inn.

“This corner is dangerous and we can’t have people leaving their cars on it, especially as the school bus stops to pick up children here,” she said.

One commuter, who declined to be named, said a bad situation had been made worse by the ongoing work at Winchester station.

“I can completely understand that this is all extremely frustrating for people who live here,” he said.

“When I first started using Micheldever 10 years ago there were only six of us catching the early trains, now there are over 150.

“I think that many more commuters now use this station anyway because the number of trains was increased a few years ago and it’s £1,000 a year cheaper to park here than at Winchester.”

A South West Trains Network Rail Alliance spokeswoman said of the Winchester building work: “During construction, one of the existing car parks was closed to allow for works to take place.

“Access to the other car park was also restricted and we understand that this has been an inconvenience to passengers.

“We apologise for the disruption this may have caused.”

Seven years ago police became involved when a dozen commuter cars were scratched while parked near Micheldever Station.

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