£1.7million investment to improve rail car park facilities

Transport Scotland plans to invest around £1.7 million in railway car park expansions in the east to encourage more people to use the train. Projects are scheduled for Cupar, Musselburgh and Stonehaven stations later this year.

Through the Small Rail Improvements fund, Transport Scotland has already enabled First ScotRail to deliver car park expansions projects at five stations in the last 12 months. Perth, Glengarnock, Wemyss Bay, Dumfries and Prestonpans now have over 240 more spaces available for Park and Ride passengers. Together with this year’s expansions, this brings a total investment in car parks to £3 million.

Further funding has been provided to deliver more than 180 spaces at Musselburgh and Cupar in the coming months and First ScotRail is seeking planning persmission to expand Stonehaven car park by a further 30 extra later this year.

Stewart Stevenson, Transport Minister said:

“This Government continues to work with First ScotRail, Network Rail, Regional Transport Partnerships and Local Authorities to ensure all opportunities to expand parking capacity at stations are taken forward. We are delivering on a rolling programme of car park expansion which is one of the goals in Scotland’s Railways with a focus on schemes that meet passenger needs while maintaining value for money.

“The Small Rail Projects Fund enables us to deliver these expansions bringing real benefits to passengers in a number of ways. We believe these car park expansions will encourage people to make best use of park and ride facilities and make public transport a real alternative to the car”.

Peter Williams, Commercial Director at First ScotRail said:

“The provision of these additional spaces is in line with our ongoing drive to encourage more people to travel by rail. The enhancement complements our own comprehensive programme of investment and we will continue to work with industry partners to raise the overall level of service for our customers.”