Work to create a new park and ride car park in Helensburgh will start next week (Monday 5 February).

The car park will be built on the former Gasometer site in Grant Street, and will have a total of 53 spaces.

Funded by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), spaces in the car park will be paid for using a pay and display ticketing system, with the cost of parking able to be used as a discount against the purchase of a rail ticket at Helensburgh Central Station.

Welcoming the start of the work, Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Economic Development, Council Leader Councillor Aileen Morton, said: “The creation of a park and ride facility right across from Helensburgh Central should be a help for those who need or want to travel by train. Using public transport helps reduce our carbon footprint and can also save on travel time and the costs associated with taking a car, such as fuel and vehicle maintenance.

“I look forward to seeing work progressing in the weeks ahead. Along with the footpath improvements that will be taking place on East Princes Street at the same time, this should substantially improve the appearance of the lower east of the town centre which has been impacted by first the gasometer and then by a gap site.”