Pushing on with park and ride proposals
A Craigneuk councillor has renewed his efforts to push forward plans for a park and ride facility at Shieldmuir Train Station.
Conservative councillor Nathan Wilson has written to developer Taylor Wimpey and Network Rail in a bid to move the project forward, which has been delayed for more than a year.
Taylor Wimpey announced in November 2017 that construction of the long awaited park and ride would begin in January 2018 with a completion target date of April last year.
The project was subsequently delayed and placed under review.
Network Rail confirmed the organisation’s position in writing to Councillor Wilson in March 2018.
In their letter to the councillor, the company noted that very complex issues still had to be resolved including land transfers, future ownership and maintenance responsibilities of the prospective car park.
The vacant land besides the train station is in a poor condition and in the absence of substantive progress being made with the park and ride, the Motherwell South East and Ravenscraig councillor has asked all parties involved to seriously consider arranging for maintenance work to be carried out at the grounds.
Councillor Wilson said: “It remains a matter of huge frustration that there is still no park and ride at Shieldmuir Train Station - one year after construction work was set to begin.
“The initial planning application was submitted to the council in 2010 and it is clearly a matter of concern that the facility has yet to emerge.
“The park and ride is a priority for residents and it is a priority for me.
“I have again written to Taylor Wimpey and Network Rail to request an update on the current status of the project and to stress the importance of the park and ride locally.
“The vacant land next to the station is also in a very poor and unsightly condition.”
Councillor Wilson has also raised the ongoing delay to the park and ride with North Lanarkshire Council.
The design for the approved park and ride is to provide 25 car parking spaces.
He added: “If sufficient progress has still not been made with the park and ride, it seems to me that maintenance work at the grounds should be carried out as a matter of priority.
“I have raised the possibility of maintenance work being undertaken at the vacant land in the near future with each of the stakeholders and I hope this is something that will be seriously considered.
“The absence of a park and ride at the station means individuals commuting by train continue to leave their vehicles at the sides of the road running through an estate, which is having a negative impact on the road safety environment for residents.”