An alternative proposal for the future of Canterbury West Station - without the planned £9m multi-storey car park - has been drawn up by opponents of the city council’s controversial project.

The Lib Dem group claims its plans, including a frequent hopper bus service, will create a much improved experience for station users while saving the authority a fortune.

Leader Michael Dixey, who has been a staunch opponent of the new multi-storey on cost grounds from the outset, today (Thursday) publishes his members’ blueprint for how the station area could be improved.

“The new multi-storey will do nothing to improve the experience for station users,” he said.

“It will just become a financial millstone because the figures just do not stack up.”

But Cllr Dixey says the more pressing need is to make the whole station site work better.

“The fact is that passenger growth at the station is predicted to escalate, but the ticket hall is already at maximum capacity at peak periods,” he said.

“The council should hold talks with Network Rail at the highest level to work together on the improvements which the council could contribute to.

“It would cost around half of what is being spent on the multi-storey, but the benefits would be considerable.”

His scheme includes an extended and improved ticket hall and suggests using land on the north side of the station, currently disused or office space, for an extra ticket office accessed an extended footbridge.

He also wants to see a new layout with passenger drop off facilities and cycle storage, improved taxi rank facilities and the area around the station landscaped to create a pleasing green welcome for visitors.

Chief executive Colin Carmichael says the council welcomes ideas but says a request to Network Rail to buy land on the northern side of the station was rejected by the company.

“Canterbury West is clearly the main railway station for the city and developing ways to ensure the maximum number of people can use it is important,” he said.

“We have already been working on increasing cycling, pedestrian, taxi and bus access at the station.

“Our new multi-storey car park is one part of the jigsaw and the increased capacity will deal with future demand from extra housing and more train services.

“We have regular discussions with Network Rail, Southeastern and Kent County Council. The forecourt has already been improved and conversations are happening about increasing capacity for buses, taxis and bikes, as well as greater space for people getting in and out and collecting tickets.

“We talked to Network Rail about the northern access and offered to buy the land, but were turned down. It is home to an operational control centre, which cannot be relocated for at least five years.

“New lifts and ticket facilities would also be needed, and Network Rail have made it very clear to us that this project is not a priority for them.”

An archaeological excavation is already underway on the existing car park where the new 380 space multi-storey will be built. Construction is due to start by the end of the year.