WORK to extend the car park at Birkenhead North station starts next month.

The existing car park, which opened in 2013, has already proved to be a success and the second phase will provide over 400 more car parking spaces, bringing the total to 670 which includes 34 disabled parking spaces.

It is expected to be complete and open by late summer this year.

An electric car charging post will also be installed.

The £1.2m project is jointly-funded by Merseytravel and the government Local Growth Fund 'Sustainable Transport Enhancement Package', a funding stream to support economic growth and maximise benefits for residents, visitors and businesses.

Cllr Liam Robinson, chair of Merseytravel said: "With eight Liverpool bound trains an hour passing through the station during weekdays, and the opportunity to connect with the Wrexham line via Bidston, the existing car park is already a great way for people to park and ride on the rail network. 

"This extension will offer even more opportunity and is part of our plans to provide more car parking where we can at stations across the network."

Councillor Stuart Whittingham, Wirral's cabinet member for transport and technology infrastructure, said: "We welcome this new investment in the local transport infrastructure.

"The council is committed to working with partners to ensure Wirral has a fantastic transport infrastructure, helping ensure members of our community are connected to the wider region.

"This latest addition will provide essential extra parking spaces and help us meet our 2020 pledge to provide well-maintained and efficient transport networks for residents."

Jan Chaudhry-van der Velde, Merseyrail's managing director, added: "We welcome the expansion of the car-park, which has become increasingly popular with our passengers since opening in 2014.

"Merseyrail is constantly looking at ways to improve the door-to-door journey and we will endeavour to make the stages of travel immediately before and immediately after the rail journey easier, more convenient and more pleasant for customers."