Stirling train station undergoes £5 million makeover

By Achilleas Salaveris

 

Stirling train station and the area around is in the process of a £5 million makeover.

The project, which began on 18th July, is set to be completed in Spring 2023, The aim of the project is to provide safe areas for pedestrians and cyclists, which will deliver “greener” and more sustainable transportation options in Stirling.

Funding for the project was provided by the Scottish government and Network Rail Scotland, with the project itself being delivered by Sustrans Scotland in collaboration with Stirling Council.

Michael Melton Grant, Manager of Sustrans Scotland, hopes that “this will create a more people focused entrance to Stirling station.”

The areas of the train station receiving a ‘makeover’ include:

• 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 toilets.
• The creation of a Cyclepoint with 150 additional cycle parking spaces and a small maintenance area. This will also enhance the e-bike offering on the station forecourt, which is already very popular.
• 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.
• Existing bridge top deck waterproofing works in advance of the forecourt works.
• Taxis being relocated out with the station area to the city centre, also managed by Stirling Council.

These improvements will make the station safer due to the reduction of traffic, which includes a reduction of taxis waiting in front of the station. Taxi drivers have been left frustrated by this, as the renovations and subsequent permanent change has been damaging to business thus far.

One taxi driver says, “It has affected us really really bad; we would normally sit at the train station picking up hires now people are walking, I have less hires and I don’t think I’ll get any more”

Others have also complained that the lack of a taxi rank at the improved station will affect business further.

Alongside the reduction of traffic, new bike routes will provide better travelling connections between the city centre and the University of Stirling campus.

Some employees working on the train station are awaiting this project with excitement, saying “it will worth it when it is done”.

However, some are not so keen on the proposed changes; “The Stirling Council changed the road system a few years ago, they made it one way, and the people were getting stuck in the Thistle centre, and they cannot park, so I personally think it is not going to work”.

According to the works manager the biggest concern of the whole project was the condition of the bridge deck. It had been noticed that the deck was suffering from corrosion in the concrete, due to weather and age. Luckily, it was found that the condition of the deck was solid, which made re-construction and repair to the bridge easier.

Of the project, Jenny Gilruth MSP, Minister for Transport, said “We welcome the start of this latest phase in the Stirling Station redevelopment, marking further Scottish Government investment in Scotland’s Railways.

“This is a great example of how we are working closely with our industry and local partners to significantly enhance passenger facilities at this station, as well as improve the active travel links between the station and the Stirling community.

‘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.

“This is all part of our vision for rail services going forward; services which are attractive, efficient, passenger focussed and provide best value for money.”