A new car park for Falkirk High station is set to open next week (Thursday 1 March) creating an additional 61 car parking spaces for commuters and travellers.
The 2500m2site, located close to the station off the B803 (Slamannan Road) was completed by contractor, RJ McLeod. at a total contract cost of £858,000.
The site will provide a third car park in the immediate vicinity of the station and bring the total number of dedicated car parking spaces available to 416.
The project was mainly funded by Falkirk Council with contributions from the ScotRail Alliance and the Scottish Stations Fund.
The car park will see new lighting, CCTV and a cycle rack installed as well as new pedestrian access via an underpass/path on Drossie Road.
Councillor Paul Garner, Falkirk Council’s spokesperson for the Environment said: “We want to encourage a greater use of public transport across the area and the new car park will help us achieve this goal.
“The additional car and bike spaces will allow commuters to leave their vehicles closer to the station and reduce potential congestion in and around the station and surrounding streets at peak times.”
Peter O’Connell, ScotRail Alliance Head of Commercial Development said: “It’s great to see the new car park open for business. We want more people to travel by train and the extra parking makes it easier for them to include rail as part of their journey.
“The introduction of electric trains at Falkirk High and the investment in the station facilities are good for the local economy and the travelling public. It’s all part of our plan to build the best railway Scotland has ever had.”
Humza Yousaf, Minister for Transport and the Islands said: “We are investing more than £5 billion to build the best railway Scotland has ever had and this includes efforts to make it easier for passengers to choose rail as their regular mode of travel.
“By rolling out additional car park spaces and cycle parking at stations across the rail network, including Falkirk High, we can encourage more people to drive or cycle to the station to connect with the train.”