Minister visits Trooperslane as new Park and Ride site work starts

The scheme will provide approximately 200 additional spaces at Trooperslane rail station and is designed to help meet present and future demand from passengers on the Larne route.

Visiting the site today (Wednesday), Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said: “I am committed to developing sustainable transport projects, greening our infrastructure and doing what I can to tackle the climate emergency and encourage more people to use public transport.

“Last year I announced my intention to progress a number of Park and Ride schemes across Northern Ireland and I am delighted to be in Carrickfergus today to see work starting on the first of those schemes at Trooperslane.

“I believe that our public transport network is vital in our recovery from COVID-19 and it is encouraging to see that more and more commuters are opting to use Park and Ride facilities as part of their daily journey. This is good news as journey times can be reduced, traffic congestion minimised, car emissions lowered and commuters can experience stress free travel while helping to deliver a cleaner, greener environment.”

The Trooperslane site will feature accessibility parking, 24-hour CCTV, security fencing and lighting, with cycle parking also accommodated.

Chris Conway, Translink Group chief executive, said: “Translink is delighted to commence work on this significant new Park and Ride site at Trooperslane, providing much needed capacity on one of the busiest routes on the NI Railways network, as well as facilitating future passenger growth.

“As the post-pandemic recovery takes hold, more sustainable transport modes, including public transport, will be essential and Park and Ride enables journeys to be made by public transport.

“Bus and rail travel will be vital as Northern Ireland looks to the future, helping to re-connect communities with employment, education, retail and leisure opportunities and driving a sustainable recovery for everyone. Park and Ride has a key role to play in that process, helping to reduce congestion in towns and cities and developing safer, healthier communities, as well as encouraging active travel and social, economic and environmental progress.”

The Trooperslane project, which is being carried out by contractor F P McCann Ltd, will be completed in 2022.

The Department for Infrastructure pointed out the bulk of activity will take place during normal daytime working hours (8am-6pm) and every effort will be made to keep noise and disruption to a minimum at all times. Furthermore, pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the project and there will be no disruption to train services.

Click here to read: New Carrickfergus Park and Ride scheme given priority status

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