Ryder Cup lessons learned for future
Solheim Cup travel plans still in the early stages
Transport organisers for next year’s Solheim Cup at Gleneagles say lessons have been learned from the 2014 Ryder Cup.
At an event earlier this week Transport Scotland, partnered with Events Scotland and Perth and Kinross Council, revealed on site parking for around 4200 vehicles would be introduced - a change in policy since the 2014 event.
A ‘park and ride’ system from Perth and Stirling will still be in operation and a temporary footbridge will be constructed from Gleneagles train station to the site.
The public event was held at Auchterarder Parish Community Church on Monday.
One person there to see the plans was David Homewood, a member of Auchterarder and District Community Council.
He told the PA he had concerns that road closures and traffic disruption could affect local businesses.
He said: “I think many of the local businesses are concerned that they will be left out.
“Closing the road through the golf course event will affect people that come from Aberuthven to Glendevon. I think the flow of traffic around that area will be very slow.
“Going south on the A824 is going to be an inconvenience to those in the local area if the plans for the event prove to be as envisaged.
“They have some good plans for the roads that might work but I think the views on security might change them in time.”
David went on to say that the strategy “seemed more laid back and less rigid than the Ryder Cup,” and said having on-site parking is a step in the right
Organisers say they have learned from the experiences of hosting the Ryder Cup in 2014. Right, David Homewood of Auchterarder and District Community Council said the plans are less rigid than at the Ryder Cup
direction rather than banning cars from the whole event site.
He concluded: “Auchterarder and District Community Council takes great pleasure in helping the people in the local area. We always try and do our best for the community.”
The park and ride will be reintroduced with a bigger emphasis on parking on site. A car park will be located to the east of the golf course and will hold around 4200 vehicles.
Rail services will also be kept on as normal.
A spokesperson for Transport Scotland said lessons had been learned
since the Ryder Cup and the plans would “change and continue to develop over the next 14 to 15 months.”
The added: “There will be a road closure for A823 within the golf course up to Muirton roundabout with temporary traffic lights introduced on the Gleneagles site.
“We want to encourage more families to attend the tournament. Family tickets allow them to park closer to the golf site so there’s less distance to walk.”
“There will be about 20 per cent of people from the north and 80 per cent from the south for the tournament.
“At the Ryder Cup we had three park and rides but we’ve reduced that to two from Stirling and Perth as it is slightly smaller.
“We feel there a good business options in the community before and during the event and hopefully after for people who work there, once the tournament is over.”
I think many of the local businesses are concerned that they will be left out