GREEN transport has lost a battle in Birchwood, but not the war.

Birchwood Park Estates has submitted a plan for a multi-storey car park because employees keep parking on residential streets.

Angry people had even been driven to road blockades by the office worker overspill.

The 537-space car park off Cavendish Avenue will provide pay and display parking for existing workers in the short term, and in the long term will provide the company parking for businesses on as yet undeveloped site 5.

Birchwood Clr Jill Bolton said: "The employees parking in surrounding streets cause annoyance and danger to the residents.

"On balance, I have to support the planning application, as Birchwood Park Estates put a lot of effort and money into promoting green travel."

The companies at the business park have only limited car parking space because of Government limitations designed to stop people driving to work.

But workers are still using their cars and park where they can. BNFL and Carphone Warehouse have both taken flak over the issue.

Birchwood Park Estates has made great efforts to get people out of their cars, with some success.

It finances two free buses linking to Birchwood railway station and Warrington town centre at a cost of more than £100,000 a year.

It has also made progress with its car share and cycle to work initiatives.

Jonathan Walsh, managing director, said "Dissuading people from relying on their cars is taking time and the car park is intended to alleviate the current parking pressure in the short term.

"In the medium term it will be essential that employers and their staff move away from the view that everyone should be able to take their car to work.

"We will inevitably see our employers become increasingly keen to recruit local staff to take advantage of alternative transport."

What do you think about the parking problems at Birchwood? E-mail sbailey@guardiangrp.co.uk