GNER is delivering a range of improvements to its car parking facilities at Durham station.

The improvements are part of a planned programme of investment aimed at improving availability and security, with Durham the latest on the East Coast Main Line to benefit.

A total of 130 new car parking spaces have now been added to the long-stay car park at Durham station, taking the car park’s total capacity to 387 spaces. New entry and exit barriers have also been introduced, providing enhanced security and reliability.

Using the car park is also cheaper for many drivers as GNER has introduced reduced rates for extended weekend parking, along with a new ‘dusk to dawn’ deal aimed at drivers who want to use the train for a night out in nearby Newcastle.

GNER commercial director Michelle Drage said: “We are delighted to announce the latest improvements to our station at Durham, which follow the opening earlier this year of a new travel centre and associated buildings on the southbound platform. Durham station is an important gateway to the railway for a wide area of the city and county. We believe better car parking – and more of it – will attract more people to make an environmentally friendly travel choice and switch from road to rail”.

The ‘dusk to dawn’ parking deal is priced at £3 and covers parking from 18.00 to 05.00 every day – ideal for drivers using the train for a night out in Newcastle, as little as 16 minutes away by GNER train.

The discount extended weekend parking rate is £12, and covers parking for any length of stay between 06.00 Fridays and 23.59 Mondays – a saving of up to £20 off the regular daily price.

Both offers apply until 7 January 2008.

The enhancements to Durham station’s car park are the latest in a programme of investment at GNER’s car parks along the East Coast Main Line.

Elsewhere in the North East, Darlington station has recently been equipped with new car park entry and exit barriers on the long-stay car park, and new ticket machines on the station concourse. The extended weekend parking offer is also available at Darlington, priced at £13.50 - a saving of up to £18.50 on the regular daily parking price.