Council approves new Park and Ride scheme in Carrickfergus

The proposed site will be able to accommodate a total of 199 car parking spaces, 10 of which will be disabled, and the provision of a cycle park.

It will be located on the land to south east of Trooperslane NIR Rail Station.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston, welcomed the approval for the new Park and Ride.

“This is fantastic news that the Park and Ride has been approved for Carrickfergus,” he said.

“With it being developed alongside the railway station at Trooperslane we hope it will encourage greater use of the railway to commute in and out of Belfast and further afield.

“Whilst the provision of the Park and Ride Car Park will encourage more traffic to the Trooperslane Road, this traffic will also be kept out of Carrickfergus town centre which will ease congestion there.”

Alderman Billy Ashe added: “This ties in with the programme of investment through the Belfast Region City Deal which will regenerate, reposition and rebrand the town of Carrickfergus.

“The new facility here, along with the future investment, will place Carrickfergus firmly on the map as a heritage-led tourism hub, part of the wider Belfast story and vital starting point on the internationally recognised Causeway Coastal Route.”

Councillor Marc Collins said he was “delighted” with the news. “Since I met with Chris Conway, CEO of Translink, over a year ago, I have been pushing for this facility which will provide a boost to the local area as well as relieving some of the pressures we see at Carrickfergus Train Station every day,” he added.

The development will “further enhance the use of the trains on the Larne line”, said Alderman Noel Williams. “Hopefully it will also keep traffic out of Carrickfergus town centre which will ease congestion there. My Alliance colleague, Stewart Dickson MLA, has been pressing for this facility from as far back as his days on Carrickfergus Council, and has since advocated it at meetings with Translink, and is likewise thrilled that it has at last been approved.”

In order to prepare the site works will include drainage, site clearance, the provision of a right-turning lane, upgrades to the public footpath as well as boundary retaining walls and fencing.

As part of the development associated with the Park and Ride Facility, new lighting and CCTV columns will also be provided along with landscaping.