Work on the almost £5million makeover of Stirling station and the area around the station begins on Monday.
During the work, the north and south car parks will be closed to the public, although there will be space in the north car park for five Blue Badge holders.
The design includes the refurbishment of the station entrance canopy; creating a pedestrianised plaza around the station; improved customer waiting facilities on Platforms 2 and 3 and new public toilet; and the creation of a Cyclepoint with 150 additional cycle parking spaces and a small maintenance area, enhaching the existing popular e-bike offering on the station forecourt.
The plans also include pedestrianisation of the current station forecourt, replacing the roundabout on Goosecroft Road with a T-junction and a new car park entrance created from Burghmuir Road and waterproofing works to the top deck of the existing bridge in advance of the forecourt works.
Taxis are being relocated outwith the station area to the city centre, also managed by Stirling Council and new cycle routes will link to the city centre and wider Stirling area, such as the university campus.
When completed by spring 2023, the project aims to provide safe pedestrian and cycle friendly areas that will deliver sustainable transport options and a greener environment.
Funding is being provided by the Scottish Government, delivered through Sustrans, and Stirling Council. Network Rail Scotland and Serco Group have also contributed.
The contractor for the work is Luddon Construction and ScotRail will manage the redevelopment.
David Lister, ScotRail Safety, Engineering & Sustainability Director, said: “This is an exciting development which will modernise Stirling station with a more people-focused entrance as well as enhancing the area around the station.
“Not only will the completed project foster an active travel culture by encouraging cycling, walking, and wheeling, it will also promote train travel as we maintain our aim of delivering more sustainable transport options.
“The improvements for pedestrians and cyclists will make a positive contribution to meeting the Scottish Government’s target of net zero emissions by 2045.”
Jenny Gilruth MSP, Minister for Transport, said: “Our aim is to encourage more people from the Stirling area to want to travel by train while also choosing more sustainable ways to get to and from the station whether that is by bus, walking, wheeling or cycling.
“We also want to drive local economic benefits by encouraging more people to visit Stirling by rail to explore the city and the surrounding areas.”
Michael Melton Grant, manager of Sustrans Scotland, said the work would create a more “people focused” entrance to Stirling station.
“There’ll be extra planting with integrated seating and junction improvements to reduce the number of crossings,” he added. “There’ll also be larger undercover cycle storage facilities. All together it will be a truly transformative project.”
Stirling Council’s environment and housing convener Councillor Jen Preston said the transformation of the station would make an “incredible difference” to the public transport gateway into the city.
“People arriving by train will see Stirling in a new light, with access to a range of improved active travel options and routes that connects the station to businesses, leisure and tourism destinations across the city centre and beyond,” said Councillor Preston.
“Enhancing the station forecourt will provide an attractive space for visitors, improve accessibility and link to our ‘Walk Cycle Live Stirling’ projects.
“This will enable people to make different transport choices and support our wider climate emergency objectives.”
Alternative parking options while the car parks are closed can be found at: https://stirling.gov.uk/roads-transport-parking/parking-zones-permits/parking-map/
