THE car park at Borehamwood train station will close later this month as part of works for the multi-million pound Thameslink project.

The station car park will close for a weekend in March as part of the project to extend platforms for longer trains.

Network Rail is installing new platform sections on March 19 and 20 and train company First Capital Connect will close the main station car park from 8pm on Friday, March 18.

Cars will temporarily be diverted to the reserved parking bays in front of the station.

By 8am on Saturday, March 19, the main car park will be closed and vehicles will have to be removed for the works.

The main car park will reopen at 5am on Monday morning (March 21).

The first 12-carriage trains on the Thameslink line will begin calling at stations between Bedford and St Albans, but not stopping at Elstree and Borehamwood, from December this year.

Services with 12-carriage trains that will stop at Elstree & Borehamwood station are expected to start in December 2018.

It is expected to reduce overcrowding on services for Elstree and Borehamwood.

FCC customer services director Michelle Smart said: “We are sorry that the main station car park has to close for a weekend but by opening up our premier parking spaces to all, there will be more than enough space for our customers arriving by car.

“Ultimately, these platform extensions will mean longer trains in and out of London which I am sure will be welcomed.”

Jim Crawford, Network Rail major programme director for Thameslink, said: “The Thameslink route is a vital commuter route, transporting people to and from work every day.

"By increasing capacity we are ensuring that the infrastructure is in place to support the growth of the local economy.”