RAIL commuters in Yate could face paying more than £400 a year in extra travelling costs thanks to a new car-parking fee.

The charges will affect Yate Train Station's car park and could mean commuters will face a 50 percent increase in daily travelling costs.

The once-free car park, which is owned by Wessex Trains, will now cost £2 a day - half the price of a daily return train ticket to Bristol.

The change came following a review of all parking at Wessex Trains' car parks last April.

A £2 discount will be offered to those buying a weekly ticket, bringing the cost of five days parking to £8 - a potential charge of £416 a year for regular commuters.

Wessex Trains told the Gazette that the charges had been introduced to alleviate the ongoing problems of rail passengers being denied space through non-rail users parking at the station.

A spokesman for Wessex Trains said: "The introduction of charges at Yate and the appointment of a specialist contractor to oversee the car park's management will deliver significant benefits to users.

"These include the allocation and marking of spaces and the removal of illegally- deposited vehicles from the site."

The company will also employ regular litter pickers.

The charging regime will also bring the facility into line with local authority controlled car parks in the area.

Added the spokesman: "We have held discussions with South Gloucestershire Council regarding the potential for developing Yate station and others in this area and will continue to look at proposals to deliver an improved service to our customers."

However, commuters were less than impressed with the developments. Ruth Sterling, of Horton, who uses the car park and commutes to Bristol five days a week said she was disgusted by the new charges.

She told the Gazette: "I am now thinking about driving into Bristol every day because it will work out cheaper. I shall be writing a letter of complaint."

Fellow commuter Andy Smith told the Gazette he was concerned with the knock-on effect the changes would have on the area.

He said: "All this will cause is extra traffic problems along Station Road because people will stop using the car park and park in the surrounding streets.

"It will cost £6 a day to travel to Bristol and it only costs £7 for all-day parking there. We prefer to car share now."

RAIL chiefs have decided to implement car parking charges at Yate Train Station. Gazette reporter Hannah Swingler battled the morning rush hour to find out what people thought of the change.

Sally Veal and daughters Sophie and Ellie of Yate. Sally said: " People will drive in because it will be cheaper - £6 a day will be too expensive. Personally, if there was a bus straight through from Yate to Bristol I would prefer to pay for that instead."

Julian Millichap of Charfield said: " I think it is a good idea. For me it is worth £6 to get into Bristol and not worry about parking. I am more concerned about the toll roads they are planning on introducing in Bristol, which I am totally against.

Michael Woodward of Chipping Sodbury said: " When I worked for Airbus in Filton I used the train every day because there was no other choice. If they bring in these charges I am in no doubt that the level of traffic into Bristol will increase because people won't want to use the car park. We should be encouraged to use public transport. This is not an incentive.