Station move is backed by councillors
NICOLA FINDLAY AND STEPHEN BARK
Up to 1300 parking spaces could be provided at a new station at Hairmyres as part of the biggest park-and-ride scheme in South Lanarkshire.
The News reported last week that plans to move the station less than a mile west toward the St James Retail Centre were due to go before South Lanarkshire Council’s community and enterprise resources committee.
Network Rail has begun negotiations with landowners and if all goes to plan the project is expected to be completed by 2023 with space for fossil fuel cars and for charging electric vehicles.
The proposals were supported by both East Kilbride MSP Linda Fabinai and MP Dr Lisa Cameron.
Opposition Tory MSP Graham Simpson and Labour MSP Monica Lennon also backed plans.
At the meeting Gordon Mackay, head of roads and transportation services at SLC, said that by 2023, the estimated demand for a park and ride at Hairmyres would be between 700 and 800 cars which would leave “sufficient space for growth”.
And now East Kilbride councillors have welcomed the move.
Councillor Hugh MacDonald (East Kilbride Central North) said the project was “something that would be welcomed by the people of East Kilbride” while Councillor Monique McAdams (East Kilbride West) added: “It is not just about East Kilbride or Hairmyres. It is about the full area.”
However, David Watson (East Kilbride West) was concerned the report contained no plan B and hoped councillors would be kept up to date with progress.
He added: “What’s not covered in the report is what other options have been looked at and why is this the preferred option?”
He was told that other options were feasible including building the park and ride up the way if necessary or in a “worst case scenario” the council could go down the route of a compulsory purchase order to obtain the land.
Labour group leader, Councillor Joe Fagan (East Kilbride Central North), felt decision should already have been made by Transport Scotland over the future of the line.
He said: “I thought that we would be past the point that these would be options and that we would be further on with what we want to do.”
The council are now set to enter a legallybinding Memorandum of Understanding with Network Rail, SPT and Transport Scotland which outlines each partners’ role in the project.
Network Rail will negotiate the purchase of the land which will be funded by Transport Scotland while the council and SPT – who would commit £3.74m and £4.2m respectively – will fund complementary infrastructure such as the park and ride.