Accessibility concerns have been raised following the £5million upgrade of Stirling station.
Features of the year-long revamp, unveiled last week, include a new pedestrianised plaza outside the Goosecroft Road station enabling better access for walkers and cyclists.
However, Stirling MP Alyn Smith, responding to constituents, has written to ScotRail chief Joanne Maguire to point out reservations over accessibility for those with mobility issues - as well as car park signage and the suitability of paving materials, asking if mitigation measures can be implemented.
Mr Smith said: “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.
“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.”
As well as the pedestrianised plaza, the station has increased cycle shelter ‘CyclePoint’ capacity comprising a total of 200 spaces.
A new T-junction entrance to the station’s controlled entry and exit south car park has also been created behind the neighbouring bus station via the A9 Burghmuir Road.
Mr Smith said in his letter to Ms Maguire: “The creation of a T-junction entrance into the car park has led to some concerns over signage, particularly to those new to the area.
“What work is ScotRail and partners undertaking to ensure road markings, signage and wayfinding are improved to help members of the public find the car park entrance? I agree it may not be immediately obvious.
“The moving of the taxi rank up the hill, to sit on Station Road and Murray Place has left some constituents concerned about accessibility, particularly for those with mobility issues. Likewise, there are several comments from the community about disabled parking availability, and the choice of slabbed materials and their suitability in wet or icy weather.
“What assurances can you offer my constituents that these issues have been taken into consideration, and what mitigations can be put in place to ensure Stirling’s rail station remains inclusive and accessible to all our residents, commuters and visitors?”
Scotrail this week pointed to a further taxi rank at Goosecroft Road between the railway station and the bus station - seen as a benefit to bus users who no longer have to walk to the station for a taxi – and vehicle drop-off and pick-up points “within walking distance of the station building” as well as motorists having a 30-minute grace period within the car park before the new Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) parking system kicks in and they are charged, blue badge holders excepted.
It was also emphasised that blue badge spaces at the station have increased, with two additional spaces outside the north car park, along with spaces within both the north and south car park.
The paving outside the station, the spokesperson said, “will meet slip-resistance criteria for use in public areas outside” adding: “ScotRail has incorporated seating in the plaza with benches at the planters as rest points. An additional bench seat is set to be installed at the new CyclePoint.
“The changes mean that customers can now come out of the station on to a pedestrian area and walk safety to wherever they wish to go without crossing a road until they reach Goosecroft Road, which has a controlled pedestrian crossing, tactile paving, and all applicable safety measures.”
ScotRail’s head of projects Kirsty Devlin said this week: “The redevelopment of Stirling railway station has delivered safe pedestrian and cycle friendly areas, and it also helps promote multimodal travel as we continue with our commitment to delivering better environments for sustainable transport options.
“The removal of a road immediately outside the entrance to the station is an improvement for anyone using the station, particularly those visually impaired or with a disability, who will now access the station via a pedestrianised area.
“We will continue to work with Stirling Council on the directional signage at the station while customers familiarise themselves with the new layout.”
