CROY TRAIN STATION PARKING ISSUES

Jamie Hepburn MSP and I recently wrote to Des Murray, Chief Executive of North Lanarkshire Council, to high;ight the concerns that many constituents have raised with us in relation to the current extreme congestion issues at Croy Station Car Parks. A copy of this letter can be found below. From discussion with our colleagues, Councillor Alan Masterton, Cumbernauld North - SNP, Cllr Mark John Kerr, Kilsyth & Villages Ward - SNP and Councillor Danish Ashraf - Ward 2 Cumbernauld North, we are aware that it is an issue that they have been contacted about by a number of constituents as well.

Concerns have been raised with us regarding the impact this now has for commuters, who struggle to find a place to park, and on those who live in nearby streets in Smithstone and Croy, who now find that their streets are becoming congested by parked vehicles.

In the past this issue led to the Scottish Government providing SPT with significant funding to help create one of Scotland’s largest park and ride facilities at the station in 2011. This investment had an immediate and positive impact on this situation, greatly reducing on street parking in adjacent residential areas. However, as more and more people are now using the train, which is a welcome shift in mode of transport, the car parks at Croy Station are struggling to meet this demand.

We have also had meetings and discussions with Scotrail on this issue and we are aware that they recently held a session with North Lanarkshire Council and SPT to understand any options for reconfiguration, expansion and improvements that may be made to the station car parks. The smaller car park at the station is operated by Scotrail, and the larger one by North Lanarkshire Council.

We are aware that a decking solution has also been considered, which was of course what had initially been proposed for the site of the newer car park. This was of course before new housing had been built adjacent to the site, so we recognise the challenges that such a solution would bring in terms of neighbour concerns, not to mention the funding of such an option may prove challenging.

From our dialogue with ScotRail we know that they are giving serious consideration as to how nearby areas of land that aren’t being utilised for any purpose could be acquired and used to increase car parking capacity. We have asked the council how they are engaged in assisting with this process.

We have also asked the council what further consideration they have given to the matter of constrained car parking at Croy railway station and to potential solutions, particularly given the significant impact currently being experienced by local residents and commuters in this area.