Fiona Hyslop MSP, Minister for Transport, officially opened the redevelopment of Stirling railway station, and remodel of the public realm and surrounding areas, earlier today (Tuesday, 27 June).
Ms Hyslop was by joined Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway, Karen McGregor, Scotland Director for Sustrans and Cllr Jen Preston, Convenor of Stirling Council’s Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee, for the event.
The near £5 million project, delivered by Luddon Construction, has seen a complete re-design of the public realm outside the station, creating a pedestrianised plaza that delivers improved access for people walking, wheeling, and cycling.
This has included the removal of the roundabout on Goosecroft Road, replaced with a new entrance to the south car park along A9 Burghmuir Road, which has streamlined the parking process, enhanced traffic flow, and created a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists.
A new state-of-the-art controlled entry and exit system with car registration plate recognition has been installed in the south car park, and an additional two blue badge parking bays have been created at the entrance of the north car park, increasing the number of accessible parking bays at the station to ten. Two electric vehicle car parking bays are also available within the north car park.
Customer facilities within the station have received significant improvement as part of the redevelopment. The customer lounge and accessible toilet on Platform 2 has seen a comprehensive refurbishment, including the installation of new floors, walls, ceilings, and furniture to enhance the overall comfort and aesthetics. Similar renovations have taken place in the customer lounge between Platform 3 and 6, ensuring that customers can enjoy comfortable and modern amenities.
A key feature of the project is the creation of a secure CyclePoint, offering more than 140 additional cycle parking spaces and increasing the total number of cycle spaces at the station to more than 200.
Recognising the growing demand for cycling facilities, dedicated spaces for non-standard bikes, including e-bikes and tandem bikes, has also been introduced. These enhancements cater to the diverse needs of commuters and promote sustainable modes of transportation.
The successful completion of the station redevelopment was made possible through funding provided by the Scottish Government, delivered via Sustrans, and Stirling Council. Additional contributions from Network Rail Scotland and Serco Group have also played a vital role in bringing the project to fruition.
Fiona Hyslop MSP, Minister for Transport, said: “I’m delighted to open the £5 million redevelopment of Stirling Railway station. This has been a real partnership success in placing walking, wheeling, and cycling at the heart of improvements.
“In doing so, we’re making active travel easier than before and encouraging multi-modal sustainable travel both in Stirling and beyond – benefitting health, wellbeing and protecting the environment.”
Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway, said: “The redevelopment of Stirling railway station marks a significant milestone in our commitment to providing a sustainable and accessible transport network.
“The refurbished customer lounges and upgraded facilities, including new CyclePoint and more blue badge parking, will greatly enhance the overall experience of customers using the station.
“It’s a truly transformational change for the station and its surrounding area, benefiting both ScotRail customers and locals. The successful completion of the project is a testament to the collaborative efforts of all involved to provide a first-class service while contributing to the Scottish Government’s ambitious emissions reduction goals.”
Image credit: ScotRail
