Rail stop switch is under microscope
A study of the feasibility of introducing new park-and-ride links for the Stirling area is to examine the possible relocation of Bridge of Allan railway station.
It will assess benefits that could arise from moving the station to the town’s southern edge so it could also serve Causewayhead and Cornton as well and provide a strategic park-and-ride function.
Network Rail have not been heavily involved in the discussions but say they have advised Stirling Council officials about whether such a switch of locations is possible.
The aim of the study is to find ways of reducing congestion in Stirling, where during the morning rush hour commuting accounts for almost half the total car trips into and out of the city centre.
Those conducting the study will also look at the possibility of creating additional parkand-ride facilities to the south of Stirling and to the north-west of the city, serving traffic coming from Clackmannanshire.
At the moment Stirling has park-and-ride sites at Castleview and Springkerse, from which people can get into the city centre via a bus service and bikes.
Strategic park-and-ride facilities allow car drivers and passengers to catch coach or rail services into Stirling or on to other destinations.
Money to fund the study will come from the £2 million Transport Scotland local rail development fund.
Tayside and Central Scotland Transport Partnership (Tactran) and Stirling Council submitted a joint bid to Transport Scotland for cash to assess options for reducing traffic entering and leaving Stirling city centre.
Both the Stirling local development plan and transport strategy identified the need to consider coach and/or rail parkand-ride options to support the growth expected to come with the City Region Deal.
There were complaints earlier this year from residents in Bridge of Allan’s Station Road and Cawder Road about thoughtless parking by people using the station .
Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Mark Ruskell said: “This announcement shows our budget win in action, helping communities across Scotland improve access to the rail network and reconnect areas that have been isolated for too long.
“At peak times Stirling can become gridlocked as a result of people travelling into and out of the city.
“This funding will explore ways of tackling this congestion.”
Dunblane and Bridge of Allan Greens councillor Alasdair Tollemache said: “This funding should identify how the rail stations can integrate with Stirling’s existing transport hubs.”
Stirling Council Conservative group leader Neil Benny said: “Typical of the Greens to claim credit for proposals that have long been agreed in the council’s transport strategy and then have the cheek to use them as an attempt to justify why they prop up a discredited SNP government.”