Park and ride facility to open at National Stadium

A large park and ride facility will be built beside the National Stadium in hopes of easing traffic congestion.

It will be situated on Aitkenhead Road and hold almost 600 parking spaces.

The initiative is part of the “Keep Glasgow Moving” strategy introduced by Glasgow City Council, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and First Bus.

Paul Coleshill, local councillor for Langside, thinks it will bring great relief to an overcrowded area.

 “The Langside ward is one of the most densely populated wards in Glasgow, combined with the queues of cars waiting to join the new M74, this facility will help get traffic moving here” he said.

The space will feature a bus interchange and it is hoped this will encourage drivers to leave their cars and finish their journey into town by bus.

John Flanagan, Govan councillor, was convener of the Planning Applications Committee which approved the proposal and he too is optimistic.

“The traffic situation along Aitkenhead Rd is terrible at the moment, the park and ride area can only help and hopefully get people out of their cars and on to public transport” he said.

The area will also be used as an over flow car park for events at the National Stadium.

Brian Muir, Safety and Operations Manager at the stadium, is keen to stress that this will be a council resource which will only be used by the stadium for large events.

“The facility will have more spaces, a more attractive layout and with the bus interchange, it should reduce strain on the inadequate parking facilities we have at present” he added.

It is expected to be operational by July 2012 when Hampden will host six Olympic football games and will be a key factor in helping to alleviate pressure for the Commonwealth Games in 2014.