Last week, the SNP’s candidate for Motherwell and Wishaw in the upcoming Parliamentary election, Marion Fellows, met with Network Rail and developer Taylor Wimpey to nail down commitments on the Shieldmuir Park and Ride and improvements to the Cleland bridge.
Residents buying their new homes nine years ago were promised a Park and Ride facility at Shieldmuir station with 103 spaces which was reduced to 25 in 2010.
After a planned start date of January 2018 being scrapped, Mrs Fellows has been given the commitment that building will begin on the Park and Ride in January 2020.
The site will have two charging points for electric cars, bike parking, and CCTV.
Taylor Wimpey have agreed to look into why the number of spaces were reduced and whether more spaces can be added.
Joined with Murdostoun SNP Councillor, Cameron McManus, Network Rail also committed to a feasibility study – agreed with North Lanarkshire Council – on the Bellside Bridge in Cleland which will be completed by the end of March 2020.
Since 2013, the Cleland bridge has been hit 60 times resulting in 3,000 minutes of rail and road delays.
Commenting, Mrs Fellows said:
“Residents around Shieldmuir station I have always been committed to being a community focussed MP and if re-elected in December, I want to continue this work and get progress for communities on the issues important to them.
“Residents have fought for the Park and Ride and waited long enough for it. Even though progress is finally being made, promises have been broken and I share residents’ anger.
“Answers must now be provided as to why spaces were reduced and a serious look at a larger facility. If we want to encourage more people to use public transport and tackle climate change, then these facilities are essential.
“Similarly, residents in Cleland, motorists and rail users will be glad that a proper assessment of the bridge will be carried out. The bridge has not only been a massive disruption to people’ lives, but also a severe danger to their safety.
“A feasibility study is progress, but what matters is that the proper steps are taken to end the disruption and damage, but ultimately to protect peoples’ lives.”