'Complete chaos' as car park closes

The closure of a Surrey car park is causing "complete chaos", according to a councillor.

Oxted station car park was shut after damage to its ceiling was found on Wednesday evening.

In a letter seen by the BBC, Tandridge District councillor Cameron McIntosh said the closure of the 366-space site had resulted in a "significant" loss of parking provision for commuters, rail users and visitors to the town centre.

Southern Rail has apologised to all those affected.

"We are working with all parties involved to understand the issues so that this is fixed as soon as possible," a Southern Rail spokesperson said.

"We can't say yet how long the car park will be closed for," they continued.

"Safety is always our first priority."

McIntosh says the closure of the facility is having an "immediate and noticeable impact" on surrounding roads.

He said commuter vehicles were being displaced into residential areas, increasing both local congestion and parking pressure.

Local businesses were also being impacted, McIntosh continued.

The councillor said one resident described the situation as "complete chaos".

McIntosh has questioned why it has reached this point as "concerns regarding the structure of the station car park have existed for some time".

Residents have also raised concerns regarding traffic management arrangements, he added.

"There does not appear to be any meaningful advance warning on the A25 that the station car park is closed, which is contributing to confusion and unnecessary vehicle movements in what is already a busy area," explained McIntosh.

Southern Rail says car park season ticket holders can use their existing permits at Caterham, East Grinstead and Lingfield stations.

"We have made sure that their rail tickets will also be valid from these stations," it added.

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