Work has started on a new £260,000 commuter site which is set to provide free parking for commuters travelling in Birmingham.

The second car park at Yardley Wood will provide 56 extra spaces in addition to the 100 already available.

The extension is being carried out to ease overcrowding at the station’s park and ride facility which is often full before the end of the morning rush hour.

With 30 per cent of all journeys into Birmingham city centre now being made by train, the extra spaces could see a further 30,000 commuter car journeys taken off the roads each year.

Coun Roger Horton, Centro’s lead member for rail and Metro, said: “Our Park and Ride schemes play a key role in helping to cut carbon emissions and the traffic congestion that is costing our local economy more than £2 billion a year.

“But they have become so successful that many, like the one at Yardley Wood, become full up very quickly each day. These extra spaces will now make it easier for commuters to park for free and complete their commute by train.”

The new Yardley Wood facility is being built on the site of a former petrol station in Highfield Road and will feature low-energy lighting, a cycle shelter, CCTV cameras and help points linked to the Network Safety and Security Centre.

Work is expected to be completed by early summer.

Terry Oliver, head of Snow Hill services at train operator London Midland, added: “We know there’s a huge demand for free parking facilities and we’re delighted that our partnership with Centro has enabled us to deliver this.”