
Birchwood Station โ 24/7 pay & display, free evenings & Sundays, seamless rail commuter parking.
๐ Type: Public Pay & Display Rail-Station Car Park (Warrington Borough Council / Transport for Wales)
๐ Open: 24/7 barrier with pay & display enforcement 06:00โ22:00 daily; free evenings (22:00โ06:00), all day Sunday & Bank Holidays
๐ Rating: N/A (station facility)
๐ฐ Pricing & Permits
Tariffs (06:00โ22:00):
Up to 1 h: ยฃ1.00
Up to 2 h: ยฃ2.00
Up to 4 h: ยฃ3.50
All day (max 24 h): ยฃ5.00
Off-Peak & Free Periods:
Evenings (22:00โ06:00): Exit free until 10:00 next day
Sundays & Bank Holidays: Free all day
Season Permits:
Weekly Rail Permit: ยฃ12.00 (7 consecutive days)
Monthly Season Ticket: ยฃ40.00 (30 days)
Payment Methods: Pay & display machines (coins, contactless card, Apple/Google Pay) or Pay-by-App (RingGo zone 95160)
Blue Badge Holders: Free in any bay; display badge and collect free exit ticket from machine
๐ Capacity & Physical Features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total Spaces | 180 bays |
| Disabled Bays | 8 marked bays, free for Blue Badge holders |
| EV Bays | 4 ร 7 kW Pod Point chargers |
| Parent & Child Bays | 2 extra-wide bays near station entrance |
| Surface | Level tarmac with fresh bay lining (2023 repaint) |
| Lighting | LED floodlights throughout |
| Drainage | Channel drains; cleared bi-annually |
| Barrier | Automated arm with ANPR entry/exit |
| Security | CCTV 24/7; periodic patrols by TfW staff |
| Signage | Digital occupancy & tariff display at entrance |
โฟ Accessibility & Adapted Facilities
Blue Badge Bays: Eight bays adjacent to pedestrian gateโfree with badge displayed
Drop-Off Zone: Covered pull-in directly outside station forecourt
Kerb Ramps: Tactile-paved ramps from car park to station footbridge
Pathways: Wide, smooth asphalt routes to platforms and bus interchange
๐ Rail & Bus Connectivity
Station Access: Immediate connection to LiverpoolโManchester services on the Cheshire Lines
Bus Links: Stop on Dewhurst Roadโroutes 17 and 17A to Warrington & Runcorn
First/Last Trains: Check National Rail live departures; typical last departure ~23:00
๐ Live Demand Patterns & Seasonal Variations
| Period | Occupancy | User Profile |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays 06:30โ09:00 | 90 % | Commuter rail users |
| Weekdays 12:00โ14:00 | 60 % | Short-stay visitors |
| Weekdays 17:00โ19:00 | 85 % | Return commuters |
| Saturdays 09:00โ13:00 | 70 % | Leisure & shoppers |
| Sundays & Bank Holidays | 40 % | Off-peak travellers |
Pro Tip: Weekly permit is best value if commuting more than three days a week.
๐ถ Walkability & Nearby Amenities
| Destination | Walk Time | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Birchwood Station Platforms | Adjacent | Direct step-free access via footbridge |
| Birchwood Shopping Centre | 5 min | Retail, cafรฉs & services |
| Dewhurst Farm Retail Park | 8 min | Supermarket & eateries |
| Bus Stop (Dewhurst Road) | On-site | Frequent local and regional services |
๐ Nearby Amenities & Services
Essentials
Public Toilets: Station foyer (during staffed hours)
ATM: NatWest (Shopping Centre, 5 min)
Pharmacy: Boots (Shopping Centre, 5 min)
Food & Drink
Station Cafรฉ (immediate): Hot drinks & snacks
Costa Coffee (5 min): Grab-and-go
๐ ฟ๏ธ Alternative Parking Comparison
| Site | Distance | Cost | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warrington West Station CP | 8 min | ยฃ0.50/hr; ยฃ3/day | EV charging & Crossrail access |
| On-Street Pay & Display (Zone BW) | Adjacent | ยฃ0.20/20 min; 2 h max | Short-stay flexibility via RingGo |
| Birchwood Business Park CP | 6 min | ยฃ1/hr; ยฃ5/day | Covered & secure |
โ ๏ธ Important Notices & Byelaws
Enforcement: Barrier & CCTV 06:00โ22:00; CEOs MonโSat
Overstay Penalty: ยฃ70 PCN (reduced to ยฃ35 if paid within 14 days)
Lost Ticket Charge: ยฃ60 if no ticket at exit
Maintenance: Monthly barrier and lighting checks; drainage cleared bi-annually
๐ Expert Tips
EV Drivers: Reserve an EV bay via RingGo when booking weekly permit for guaranteed charging.
Blue Badge Holders: Register badge at machine to print free exit ticketโno fee for up to 24 h.
Evening Travel: Park after 22:00 for free exit by 10:00 next day.
Weekends: Lower occupancy but still pre-book weekly permit if combining station & shopping visits.
๐ฎ Future Developments & Planning
2025 Q3: Installation of 4 ร 22 kW rapid chargers under TfW green initiative
2025 Q4: ANPR upgrade for permit-free access for season ticket holders
2026: Feasibility study for +50 bays on adjacent council land (ref: WBC/PLN/2024/990)
Accessibility Audit: PAS 1899 compliance review scheduled for Feb 2026