High speed trains operating from Canterbury West Station will lead to a four-fold increase in parking, councillors are being told.

Network Rail is expected to submit a planning application for its proposed £3.5million re-design and refurbishment of the station shortly.

The work will coincide with a new high speed London service due to be launched in 2009.

But members of the city council’s Canterbury area member panel will be told that increased demand for rail services will put extra pressure on parking arrangements.

In a report, the council’s senior highways engineer, Viv Pritchard, says the demand for long stay parking by rail users is expected to rise by nearly four fold as a result of the high speed trains.

At present the Network Rail car park has 16 short stay and 40 long stay places, exclusive to rail users.

But the council’s own neighbouring car park has 135 spaces and Mr Pritchard says the council will need to consider an option to link the car parks and come to a joint management arrangement with the rail company.

“Parking at the station is likely to be a critical issue for the future success of the new service,” he said.

The panel meeting is on Monday.