6 TRANSPORT Extension plans for Hairmyres car park
Railstationisapriority
Hairmyres train station has been identified as a high priority in a new multimillion pound park-andride plan that could create hundreds of new parking spaces for commuters.
South Lanarkshire councillors approved an eight-week period of consultation at a meeting of the community and enterprise resources committee.
Members heard of proposals to create extra parking spaces at train stations throughout the area.
A report to councillors highlighted that rail patronage across the region has continued to grow at an average rate of 4.4 per cent from 2006/07 to 2015/16.
It stated: “It is apparent that the projected level of demand cannot be accommodated at the majority of stations and there is a clear need to consider options to expand provision to accord with the aims of the local transport strategy, and the park and ride strategy consultative draft.”
In January, the News reported that passenger journeys were down 200,000 between 2015/16 and 2016/17. Central Scotland Tory MSP Graham Simpson insists people are turning their backs on the railway because “they can’t get parked”.
The plans for Hairmyres could create an extra 500 spaces at a cost of up to £5.6 million.
In the short term, 11 spaces could be created by reconfiguring and extending the existing car park at a cost of up to £50,000.
The construction of a new surface car park with access road could add 109 spaces at a cost of between £330,000 and £420,000.
An extra 357 spaces could come from the development of a decked car park in a partnership with health chiefs – costing up to £4.5m.
Further long-term plans could add 50 spaces thanks to a decked extension of the existing ScotRail car park at a cost of between £500,000 and £642,000.