Proposals to create a 300-space park and ride facility at Eurocentral have been dropped due to insufficient demand.
North Lanarkshire Council had been planning to create the parking hub to “improve accessibility to jobs” at the industrial site beside the M8 and at adjacent Maxim Park and Newhouse, but have recently determined that “now is not the right time” for its construction.
The local authority plans instead to develop alternative transport options to the sites including improved links to train stations, aiming to begin design work later this year with construction then taking place throughout 2024.
Plans for the park and ride project were originally outlined on the council’s website a year ago, but officials this week shared an update stating that it is not going ahead following the outcome of likely usage assessments.
The revised project webpage now states: “We had planned to provide a park and ride facility at Eurocentral; we carried out a feasibility study to provide evidence there was a need.
“[It] found that there is not enough demand at this time to build the facility [and] recommended putting the project on hold until demand has increased.”
With the halted project originally due to have been completed as part of the Glasgow city region city deal, North Lanarkshire officials have applied instead to its infrastructure fund for approval of the alternative sustainable transport improvements project.
A decision on the newly-submitted outline business case is expected by the end of next month, with the council saying it will “improve transport links for businesses and employees” and “provide alternatives to using private cars”.
North Lanarkshire officials add that the new plans will address “accessibility to employment for local communities by bus, cycling, wheeling and train by providing routes between Eurocentral and local rail stations”. The nearest stops to the industrial hub are Holytown, Bellshill, Whifflet and Airdrie.
A council spokesperson told Lanarkshire Live: “The proposed park and ride at Eurocentral is currently deferred within the city deal programme, following a feasibility study in 2021 which concluded that there was limited need for [it] at this location.
“This was determined by consideration of traffic modelling to consider demand and projected use; the study concluded that there was insufficient demand to justify a 250- to 300-space park and ride facility.
“Alternative proposals for sustainable transport improvements are now being developed which will improve access to jobs at Eurocentral and provide alternatives to private car use, [and] an outline business case has recently been submitted and is being considered.”
Public consultation will take place during the design phase, and the new project information also adds: “We will continue to work with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to develop a future park and ride project with other funding.”
North Lanarkshire Council is also applying under the same city deal project for funding to build a new roundabout junction on the A8 to be known as Orchard Farm.
It would give access to the former Shanks & McEwan site and nearby Carnbroe business development areas, plus the proposed Mossend international rail freight park – with the project website noting that the roundabout first “relies on” delivery of that development.
A funding decision from the city deal cabinet is expected next month, with an anticipated year-long construction project potentially beginning next spring.
Council officials say: “The roundabout will enable new industrial development at these locations; our next steps are to work with the project partners to agree how it will be built, and the timescale.
“The project will support the local economy and help create a more joined-up transport network, to enable the sustainable movement of people and goods.”
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