East Lothian Courier | News | Parking to boost commuter choice

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Thursday, 21st February, 2008 09:00

Parking to boost commuter choice

HUNDREDS of county commuters are to benefit from the construction of a £1.5 million ‘Park and Choose’ facility at Wallyford Railway Station.

At a cabinet meeting last Tuesday, councillors agreed to award the contract to construct an overspill car park of 320 spaces, and a dedicated bus layby, on land to the north of Wallyford station to RJ McLeod Ltd.

Two new puffin pedestrian crossings, 13 disabled parking spaces and 10 cycle parking slots are also included within the development.

East Lothian Council’s head of transportation, Ray Montgomery, explained that the site expansion – due to be completed by the end of the July – would allow commuters to choose between a bus or train to fulfil their travel needs.

An influx of new residents to the village and a pending new housing development had increased the need for better commuting facilities in the area, the meeting heard.

Commuters will be able to access the ‘park and choose’ from a new junction and dedicated right turn lane on the A199, between Musselburgh and Dolphingstone.

Some cabinet members doubted whether the limited number of trains passing through Wallyford station could cope with the arrival of potentially hundreds of additional commuters.

Musselburgh West councillor John Williamson pointed out: “If you have 320 proposed car parking spaces, don’t tell me the drivers of these vehicles are all going to transfer onto buses.

“If you get even an extra 100 people trying to get into a train with just four or six coaches at peak time, then it will be insufficient.”

Council leader, Councillor David Berry, assured members that negotiations were underway with rail company First ScotRail, with the help of East Lothian MSP Iain Gray.

“We have had a meeting with ScotRail management and Iain Gray has been putting pressure on the company to improve service on the North Berwick line,” he said.

Councillor Paul McLennan, council spokesman for transport, confirmed: “ScotRail are looking at ways to ease pressure on the line.”

“I think that with the proposed development of new houses at Wallyford, this facility will be a big help,” he added.

The car park is being constructed in partnership with the South of Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran), which is providing £600,000 towards the development.

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