COMMUTERS' prayers have been answered as plans are in the pipeline for more car parking spaces at a railway stations.

Greater Anglia is investing millions of pounds to create 700 new car parking spaces at stations, including at Marks Tey.

It will be welcome relief to commuters struggling to find a space at the busy station.

Some have even been parking at nearby St Michael’s Church in Marks Tey because there is no room at the station.

The Rev Ian Scott-Thompson, vicar at St Michael’s Church, has been loaning out the 25 spaces in his church car park to ease the burden on the car park and the neighbouring roads.

He said: “We do loan out the spaces.

"It’s been happening for a few years and we just ask for motorists to make a donation to the church. We don’t make it a formal matter.”

Marks Tey station car park has 257 spaces, but demand exceeds supply and commuters face a daily struggle to find places.

Greater Anglia said the project to expand the car park was still in the design stage, and finer details on the number of spaces at Marks Tey and when they would be created would be released later.

Frustrated passengers have previously criticised the capacity at Marks Tey car park describing it as a “parking nightmare”. Drivers took to parking on grass verges because of the lack of spaces.

Derek Monnery, chairman of the Essex Rail Users Federation, said he would welcome the introduction of new car parking facilities.

He said: “It’s a good idea because Marks Tey is a key point on the A12.

“However, I am concerned more people might be encouraged to not use their local station because there’ll be more car parking spaces elsewhere.”

Simone Bailey, Greater Anglia asset management director, said the company was committed to improving parking across the Anglia network in a bid to make life easier for customers.

In addition to parking, he said a number of improvements was being made to trains and the services on offer.

He said: “While we await the arrival of the brand new trains in 2019, which will also have free WiFi and infotainment.

“We are committed to continuing to invest in our current fleet to improve passengers’ journeys now.”