PLANS to create an improved transport interchange at Motherwell railway station have been approved.

The £3.5 million Glasgow City Region City Deal funding sought will contribute to a wider project that will see North Lanarkshire Council working alongside ScotRail Alliance and SPT to create a vibrant, regional transport hub in the town.

The City Region investment will see a high-quality interchange centre developed for bus, train and bike transport in front of the existing railway station, which will coordinate with ScotRail Alliance’s investment in the station itself.

This will include:

  • An expanded bus facility on Muir Street
  • New arrangements for taxis, car drop-offs and disabled parking adjacent to the station
  • A reconfigured station forecourt
  • Pedestrian and cycle network improvements, and
  • Expansion of the park and ride at Farm Street and additional parking at Pollock Street car park

Overall, the project aims to make it easier to use public transport and improve links between bus and train services, as well as reducing road congestion.

This will provide increased access for local people to jobs, education and training opportunities in Lanarkshire and beyond.

The plans include capacity for potential increased bus services to and from Ravenscraig as this site is developed in future.

The project will be taken forward in two phases: the park and ride and active travel work is expected to begin on site in September 2018. The Muir Street interchange works start in spring 2019.

“This is a major development for Motherwell town centre which will improve access to public transport and job opportunities for local people not only in North Lanarkshire but to the rest of central Scotland,” said Councillor Allan Graham, Convener of the Enterprise and Housing Committee.

He added: “It also links to our wider City Deal projects which will see the new roads between Cumbernauld, Airdrie, Ravenscraig and the M74 alongside investment at Eurocentral. All these initiatives will bring new business and jobs to the area, opening up links with the rest of the Scotland the UK and giving a huge boost to the local economy.

“Approval of the Motherwell rail station hub project by the Glasgow City Region Cabinet is a significant step forward for the council and our partners in making our plans a reality.”