Fiona Hyslop MSP, Minister for Transport in the Scottish Government, officially opened the redeveloped Stirling railway station yesterday (Tuesday, 27 June).

The event was also attended by Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway, Karen McGregor, Scotland Director for Sustrans and Councillor Jen Preston, Convenor of Stirling Council’s Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee, for the event.

The project, which cost nearly five million pounds, has been delivered by Luddon Construction. It includes a full design of the public area outside the station, which has created a pedestrianised plaza with improved access for people walking, wheeling and cycling.

The roundabout on Goosecroft Road has been removed and replaced with a new entrance to the south car park along A9 Burghmuir Road. This has made the parking process simpler, enhanced traffic flow, and created a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists.

The south car park now has a controlled entry and exit system with car registration plate recognition, and the north car park has two new parking bays for blue badge holders at its entrance of the north car park. there are now ten parking bays at the station reserved for disabled drivers. Two electric vehicle car parking bays are available within the north car park.

Facilities within the station have also been improved. Platform 2’s customer lounge and accessible toilet have been refurbished, with new floors, walls, ceilings and furniture. The customer lounge between Platform 3 and 6 has also been renovated.

A new, secure CyclePoint offers 140+ additional cycle parking spaces, increasing the total number of cycle spaces at the station to more than two hundred. The station has also introduced dedicated spaces for non-standard bikes, including e-bikes and tandem bikes.

Stirling Council’s ‘Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling’ scheme encourages facilities such as this, as it aims for an active travel culture. It believes that combining active travel and public transport encourages a more environmentally friendly and healthier way of travelling, as well as helping to transform the city of Stirling into a more sustainable, vibrant and accessible place to live, work, and visit. ‘Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling’ forms part of the £90.2million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and is will be completed in summer 2024.

The project will see two key transport corridors – from Stirling train station to the University and the city centre to Forth Valley College – made easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle into the city centre. Along these routes, spaces will be created for rest, play and connection with nature, and to learn about the city’s history.

The completion of the station redevelopment made possible by Scottish Government funding, and was delivered via Sustrans and Stirling Council. Network Rail Scotland and Serco Group also contributed to the project.

Fiona Hyslop MSP, Minister for Transport, said: “I’m delighted to open the £5million 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.

“This is all part of our record investment in active travel, where the Scottish Government has committed to investing over £320million, or 10 per cent of the transport budget, in walking, wheeling, and cycling by 2024-25.”

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.

“This project has delivered safe pedestrian and cycle friendly areas, and it also helps promote multimodal train travel as we continue with our commitment to delivering better environments for sustainable transport options.

“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.”

Karen McGregor, Sustrans Scotland Director, said: “Safe and convenient access to train stations is an essential daily need for people living and working all across Scotland.”

“Complete with integrated seating, landscaping works, junction improvements and covered cycle storage, the Stirling station gateway project provides an attractive, welcoming space for everyone, and one where walking, wheeling, and cycling are placed front and centre.”

“We’re excited to see these works now completed and look forward to seeing the positive impact the project has for the people of Stirling and beyond.”

Cllr Jen Preston, Convener of Stirling Council’s Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee, said: “This transformation makes Stirling an even more appealing destination and people will benefit from greater active travel options and sustainable ways to get to and from the station, whether by bus, walking or wheeling.

“By linking to our ‘Walk, Cycle, Live Stirling’ projects, the station is now more connected than ever before to businesses, as well as leisure, educational and tourism destinations across the city centre and beyond.

“Visually, the station looks stunning, and this programme of improvements will deliver a local economic boost by encouraging more people to visit Stirling and surrounding areas as we head into the main tourism season.”