AN ANGRY rail commuter has hit out at what she describes as an "unjustified" hike in car parking charges.

Beryl Walker, of Howick Close, Aylesford, who commutes to Bromley from Barming, is furious at the increase of more than 50 per cent in the cost of parking at the station.

Central Parking System, which runs the car park on behalf of South Eastern Trains, increased the cost of a monthly ticket from £24 to £38 on Monday November 1.

Monthly ticket prices have risen from £26 to £57 at Maidstone West station and from £32 to £49 at Bearsted.

CPS says the increases, which are among 13 implemented in station car parks throughout Kent this month, are to pay for service improvements that have been carried out.

But Mrs Walker said: "Parking in Barming is appalling and there are no other roads that can be used which means they have a captive market at the station.

"If you want to get to the station by car then you have to pay up."

Mrs Walker added: "They have made some improvements but I would like to know how they justify increasing charges by more than 50 per cent."

"If we had more reliable public transport then more people would use it but we are penalised by having to pay high parking prices."

CPS public relations manager Sarah Critchley said the majority of prices had not increased for several years and they remained competitive with other tariffs in the area.

She said: "We have undertaken significant improvements including installing fencing, re-lining parking bays, demarcation of disabled bays and thorough cleaning and vegetation control.

"The increased funds will be reinvested to ensure that the new standards are retained."

Sarah Boundy, spokeswoman for South Eastern Trains, said the company had taken steps to ensure permit holders were informed about the changes.

"The majority of our car park prices have not increased for several years," she said.

"We have liaised with local councils and we also consulted with the Rail Passenger Committee and London Transport Users' Committee."