Local MP Raises Community Concerns on Accessibility, Parking and Taxi Ranks
Stirling’s MP for Stirling Alyn Smith has welcomed a £5 million redevelopment of the Stirling Rail Station, yet has raised community concerns with Scotrail over the new carpark entrance, location of the taxi ranks and overall accessibility.
The site now links active travel routes to the wider city and the University, boasting increased cycle shelter capacity and a new pedestrianised plaza at the front of the station. As part of the wider public realm works, a consortium of partners including Sustrans, Stirling Council, Scotrail and the Scottish Government took forward plans to re-adjust traffic routes, including the creation of a new T-junction entrance to the station car park, from behind the nearby bus station.
Whilst public reaction to the investment has been positive on the whole, some concerns have been raised over the moving of taxi rank facilities from the front of the station up the hill to both Station Road and Murray Place; potential confusion to car park users as to the location of the new entrance and disabled parking; and the suitability of new paving materials in wet and icy weather.
Mr Smith wrote to Scotrail’s CEO Joanne Macguire to celebrate the project completion, and seek assurances on these community concerns. Their response is below.
Stirling MP Alyn Smith said:
‘The redevelopment is long overdue and very welcome, and I hope will kick off a regeneration of that whole part of the City, the back of the Thistles Centre and Port Street particularly. The linking up with active travel, especially to the University, is I think the missing connection in joining up the local network. This really is a positive vote of confidence in the future of rail travel, and Stirling as a great place to live, work, visit and study.
‘I have raised concerns on accessibility and the practicalities of how the new car park and drop off will work, and where I’m assured there has been adequate provision, we will need to wait and see to make sure the new arrangements are working as intended.’
Notes:
Attached is a letter from Alyn Smith MP.
