EUROPE'S largest underground station will be losing its car park as part of a £5bn regeneration scheme.

The 913-space car park at North Greenwich station will be turned into a business area in the next few years to form part of the Greenwich Peninsula masterplan.

The 20-year scheme is run by English Partnerships, Meridian Delta Limited and the Anschutz Company.

English Partnerships says it will include:

  • 10,000 new homes, 3,000 of which will be affordable across the peninsula
  • 3.5million sq ft of employment and office space
  • Community and leisure facilities, including a new school
  • Improved open spaces and parkland.

London Underground agreed to lease the car park to English Partnerships in 2002.

News Shopper was told 400 spaces will be lost at the Tube station car park next year to form a temporary car park for the Dome, which will be run by Anschutz Company.

London Underground could not confirm when the rest of the car park would be permanently closed to commuters.

But it stated more than 500 spaces will remain until the area is developed for business use.

A London Underground spokes-man said: "We are working with English Partnerships to develop and regenerate the peninsula.

"We understand it will form an important part of the redevelopment masterplan."

London bank worker Amanda Terrell says she would not know how to get to work if the car park closed.

The 34-year-old, from Blackfen, said: "I commute from Blackheath. I'd have to get a bus, train and Tube to get to work if the car park closed.

"I know so many who use this car park and a lot wouldn't know what to do. It will be horrific getting back in time for my children."

Bianca Cooke, 19, from Blackheath, who works as a fashion merchandiser in London, said: "When they close this car park, it will be a nightmare.

"Public transport would be chronic. It's one of the busiest stations on the Jubilee line.

"The queues to use the car park are already right along the road in the mornings.

"I park my car here every day. It's so convenient. I would be upset if they closed it."

An anonymous station worker added: "I've seen the models of the development and I think the closure of this car park would cause mayhem and affect residents.

"It's a shame this facility was given to them on a plate."

A spokesperson for English Partnerships said: "When the time comes to reduce the size of the car park, which is necessary to enable the development of a car park for The Dome, English Partnerships will give users adequate warning, enabling commuters to make alternative travel arrangements."