TRANSPORT Park-and-ride consultation
Public asked for views on new strategy
A consultation into parkand-ride facilities at railway stations across South Lanarkshire – including two in East Kilbride – is underway.
The council wants to find out residents’ opinions on the draft strategy covering all 19 facilities in the region.
And Hairmyres station – which commuters and local politicians have long criticised over a lack of parking which sees people take up limited spaces at the nearby hospital – has been identified as a high priority in the new multimillion pound park-and-ride plan.
Central Scotland Tory MSP Graham Simpson previously insisted people in East Kilbride are turning their backs on the railway because “they can’t get parked”.
A report to councillors previously stated projected level of demand cannot be accommodated at the majority of stations due to increased rail usage and there was a need to consider options to expand provision.
Chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s community and enterprise committee, East Kilbride Central South Councillor John Anderson, said: “We would like as many people as possible to take part in this consultation.
“We want to hear from the people who are using the park and ride facilities, as it is these day-to-day users who will have the most valuable feedback.”
And the town’s MSP Linda Fabiani has welcomed a consultation on a park-and-ride strategy for East Kilbride and Hairmyres railway stations
She said: “I am glad the council recognise the importance of park and ride facilities – not only the benefits of boosting the local economy, but to reduce congestion, promote accessibility and increase the use of public transport.
“I would urge a many people as possible to get involved in this consultation and express their views – for any strategy to be a success requires the feedback of its users.
“I look forward developments.”
A number of factors were looked at in developing the draft strategy, including existing supply, future demand, demand against current provision, as well to as the suitability and feasibility of all options.
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.
The railway stations are owned and managed by Network Rail and it is either they or the council who are responsible for car parking at all 19 of the stations.
The consultation – which can be found by going to https:// www.snapsurveys.com/wh/s. asp?k=152526354089 – will last for a period of eight weeks and will be supplemented with leaflets and posters in and around the stations and on trains.