On Monday 8th October, Andrew Latimer, the Implementation Project Manager for Southern Railway, gave a presentation to Whyteleafe Village Council about the forthcoming extension to Upper Warlingham Station car park.

The car park currently has 155 spaces and this number will increase to 245 in the New Year, thanks to the addition of 90 new spaces. An upper level to the existing car park will be constructed accessed by a single ramp.

Andy explained how the traffic going up and down the ramp will be controlled by traffic lights that will be phased to meet the access and exit requirements at different times of the day.

The groundworks are scheduled for commencement in December and will last for appoximately two weeks. The installation of the tubular steel modules and Glass Reinforced Plastic panels that will make up the new car park level will begin in January 2013 and will also last for approximately two weeks. The car park will remain open during the groundworks and construction phases.

After the presentation, Whyteleafe Village Councillor and Tandridge District Councillor Tom Dempsey said: "I think we all appreciate the fact that parking is an issue in Whyteleafe and the additional spaces in the car park are welcome. However, my concern is for how the local residents wil be affected by the increase in traffic. The situation is not idyllic as it is, especially at peak times and I hope the traffic consultation by Surrey County Council takes place as soon as possible."