The new multi-storey car park at Stevenage railway station opened to the public on Friday (May 5) - and reporter Christopher Day went along for a sneak peek inside.

There are 622 car spaces at the new car park, up from 339 spaces at the ground level car park that was formerly on the site.

The Comet: The new car park, viewed from the direction of the railway station walkway.The new car park, viewed from the direction of the railway station walkway. (Image: Chris Winter Photography/Huber)

Included within that total now are 30 disabled parking spaces, and 30 spaces with electric charging facilities. Some disabled spaces also have electric charging.

Access to the car park for vehicles is from Lytton Way, and there is pedestrian access through to the railway station.

The Comet: Each level of the car park has bays of a different colour, making it easier to find your vehicle.Each level of the car park has bays of a different colour, making it easier to find your vehicle. (Image: Christopher Day/Newsquest)

Pedestrians walking from the car park to the station will spot another new building, with three rooms for cycle storage. There are 80 spaces, including three for cargo bicycles and other larger bicycles.

Dedicated motorbike parking facilities are also available just outside the multi-storey, close to the bicycle storage.

The Comet: There are disabled parking bays and dedicated motorbike parking just outside the multi-storey. Each level has dedicated pedestrian walkways.There are disabled parking bays and dedicated motorbike parking just outside the multi-storey. Each level has dedicated pedestrian walkways. (Image: Chris Winter Photography/Huber)

Payment for drivers is conducted via automatic numberplate recognition (ANPR), so there is no need to take a chip or token from the barrier upon entry.

Instead, the barrier will raise automatically, and drivers pay using cashless machines located between the station and the car park, or in the car park itself. The ANPR system will automatically detect when somebody has a valid season ticket.

The Comet: Pedestrian access between the car park and the railway station is through the taxi rank area. This image shows two of the cashless pay stations for drivers to use.Pedestrian access between the car park and the railway station is through the taxi rank area. This image shows two of the cashless pay stations for drivers to use. (Image: Christopher Day/Newsquest)

Those using electric charging will pay through the 'Blink Charging - EB Go!' app, which is also used by the multi-storey car park at St George's and the car park at the Forum.

It costs £10 to park in the car park on weekdays. From 4am Saturday until 4am Sunday, it costs £8, and from 4am Sunday until 4am Monday, it costs £7.50. 

Cycling storage, meanwhile, is operated by Spokesafe. Access is via a code, which you can find by signing up to the Spokesafe app, and the facilities are open 24 hours a day.

The Comet: There is secure storage for 80 new bicycles as part of the new development. This shows the inside of one of the 3 storage rooms.There is secure storage for 80 new bicycles as part of the new development. This shows the inside of one of the 3 storage rooms. (Image: Chris Winter Photography/Huber)

You must book cycle storage in advance, and it costs £1 per day using pay as you go, or £10 per month for membership.

Existing bicycle racks in the taxi rank area continue to be available.

The car park is open 24 hours a day, and the lift is operational during train operating times.

The Comet: Solar panels on the roof of the cycle storage and the main car park help to power the new infrastructure.Solar panels on the roof of the cycle storage and the main car park help to power the new infrastructure. (Image: Chris Winter Photography/Huber)

The two façades on the car park, facing Lytton Way and the railway line, are Stevenage-specific.

Those on Lytton Way will be able to see the town's motto - 'The heart of a town lies in its people' - accompanied by silhouettes of people. And those looking up at the car park from the railway line will be able to see facts, figures and images celebrating Stevenage's achievements in science and technology.

The Comet: The roof of the car park includes solar panels to help power it. The façade on the Lytton Way side includes the town's motto - 'the heart of a town lies in its people'.The roof of the car park includes solar panels to help power it. The façade on the Lytton Way side includes the town's motto - 'the heart of a town lies in its people'. (Image: Chris Winter Photography/Huber)

Following the opening, Cllr Richard Henry, leader of Stevenage Borough Council, said: “We are so pleased to have opened the multi-storey car park, supporting residents, visitors, and commuters from across Hertfordshire.

"Not only have we opened a car park with modern facilities, including electric vehicle charging, we have also met the need of cyclists with secure cycle parking on site.

"The bold design marks the entrance to the town from the railway station and celebrates the achievements of our town and communities through its unique façade”.

The Comet: The floor signs inside the multi-storey car park use this mosaic-effect design.The floor signs inside the multi-storey car park use this mosaic-effect design. (Image: Christopher Day/Newsquest)

Cllr Lloyd Briscoe, portfolio holder for economy, enterprise and transport, added: “An accessible town centre with varying modes of transport is key to the transformation of our town.

"This facility provides an enhanced user experience, contributing to a sustainable travel hub which offers choices as to how people can travel. We hope that people enjoy using this new facility with everything that it offers”.

The Comet: The new car park lit up at night.The new car park lit up at night. (Image: Chris Winter Photography/Huber)

Adrian Hawkins OBE, chair of the Hertfordshire LEP and Stevenage Development Board, commented: “I am thrilled to see this new facility open, which almost doubles the number of parking spaces of the former surface level car park.

"This is one of the projects to have benefited from the Stevenage Town Investment Plan, set out by the Stevenage Development Board. This will benefit both residents and businesses and is a real step-change for the town”.