THE end could be in sight for frustrated residents of Southworth Road after news that parking restrictions are likely and a long-awaited station car park may finally be in the pipeline.

As the Guardian recently reported, parking restrictions on the congested residential road are on the horizon, and as the three- week objection period comes to a close, it seems likely that the new measures will be given the green light from the council.

But as the Guardian went to press it was exclusively revealed that Railtrack will meet with Merseytravel to seal an agreement on the short term lease of land for a temporary car park, while plans for a permanent revamp of the station complete with a parking capacity for up to 300 cars continues.

Hopeful residents are looking to Railtrack to fulfil what they describe as 'empty promises' made as far back as 1996, to provide the car park for station commuters.

Just months ago, residents on Southworth Avenue gave Railtrack an ultimatum, to come up with the car park they claim was pledged years ago, or take responsibility for what they say is an accident waiting to happen.

At the time of the ultimatum, in July, Merseytravel released a statement saying: "Negotiations are ongoing with Railtrack to take over the land. We still have the money in the budget for this but at the moment it is pending agreement with Railtrack to build the car park on land adjacent to the station. We keep pressing them. We are aware of people quite rightly objecting to rail passengers parking outside their homes."

But this week, a spokesman for Railtrack said: "There are two pieces of the land at the centre of these plans. The land that was the old motor rail terminal used to belong to British Rail. When Railtrack took over, that piece of land didn't transfer and the owner remained the Strategic Rail Authority.

"We have now come to an agreement with Merseyrail whereby it should be possible in the very near future to start work on a temporary car park. This is quite separate from a larger scheme we are working on with St Helens Council, which is part of its strategic local plan along with a complete station revamp and large car park with a capacity for up to 300 vehicles. But that is a long way in the future.

"We are due to have another meeting within another couple of weeks which we hope will be the final one before we get the go-ahead. This should put the final seal on it. We are aware that this issue has been ongoing for some time now and that it has caused much concern among residents."