The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Park-and-ride station among options study will consider
A railway station is among the aspirations for a proposed new village on Perth’s outskirts.
A grant of £97,000 from the Scottish Government has bolstered hopes that train travel will be an option for those who live in Oudenarde.
The money from the new £2 million Local Rail Development Fund will pay for a multi-modal transport appraisal of how those who live in the 1,500-home community by Bridge of Earn would travel to Perth and south towards Edinburgh.
Tayside and Central Scotland Transport Partnership (Tactran) will conduct the study with Perth and Kinross Council.
Councillor Brian Gordon, Tactran chairman, said: “I welcome the announcement from Transport Scotland of the successful bid for a study to look at improving transport choices for the people of Bridge of Earn, including considering a new park-and-ride rail station.”
A council spokesperson said: “Tactran and Perth and Kinross Council submitted a joint bid to Transport Scotland for funds to consider multi-modal transport options that provide a realistic alternative to car travel to, from and within Bridge of Earn and will also consider travel between south/west Perth, Fife and Edinburgh.
“In particular, consideration will be given to options that will improve door-to-door journey times by public transport to these important employment areas.
“The study will consider, amongst other options, the provision of a new park-and-ride rail station associated with the proposed new development at Oudenarde.”