FUNDING to extend the railway station car park at Long Hanborough looks set to go ahead after it won Government approval.

First Great Western wants to build a bigger 197-space car park to deal with soaring demand.

The number of passengers using Hanborough station has grown by 50 per cent in four years.

The existing car park has only 50 spaces and is often full before 7am. Nearby residents have complained about dozens of commuters' car being parked on the grass verges of the A4095 and outside their homes.

Andrew Wilkins, the Hanborough representative of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group, said: “We are of course pleased about the decision.

“For all the residents in the area there will be a significant improvement when a new car park is constructed.

“The main reason for the popularity of the Cotswold Line, it seems to me, is because the congestion on the A40 is getting worse and worse.”

Network Rail, which says it supports the scheme, will make a final decision on whether to go ahead.

First Great Western would not say how much the expansion is expected to cost but similar work at Charlbury station is costing £470,000.

Work is about to start at Charlbury to provide 83 extra spaces, to add to the existing 158 spaces, which will be in use from September