THE company which manages Hampshire rail station car park revealed as the second most expensive in the country is defending its pricing structure.

As reported by the Daily Echo, Southampton Airport Parkway charge £15 for a daily ticket, with the price dropping to £6 after 10.45am between Monday and Friday.

In analysis run by complaint service Resolver, the price is only topped by one other rail station car park in the country, Reading.

South West Trains (SWT), which manages the car park, has defended its pricing and how it justifies charging the amount.

A statement from the company said: “All parking prices are kept under review and money is continually invested in improving car parking provision across the network, including the ongoing expansion of eight station car parks, providing 1,400 extra spaces.”

Founder of Resolver, James Walker said: “Train and parking companies can’t be forced to reduce their prices, but you can still recoup some of your losses by remembering your rights and claiming for refunds if you’re delayed or making a complaint if you face an unfair parking charge.”

The survey by Resolver had looked at 100 commuter towns across the country, but South West Trains insist an annual parking ticket represents good value for money.

SWT said: “The cost of an annual parking season ticket at Southampton Airport Parkway comes out at around £5 a day which represents a good discount for rail passengers using the car park on a daily basis.

“The daily rate is set in line with other nearby airport car parks and is intended to limit the number of air passengers using the car park, which would prevent railway passengers from using it.”

South West Trains is run by Stagecoach Group, who run various other transport organisations and who was founded in 1980.

Stagecoach say their values include fairness, respect and a strong commitment to equal opportunities, with these values and putting customers first, central to how they operate.