Council approves new Park and Ride scheme in Carrickfergus

A Park and Ride facility on Trooperslane Road in Carrickfergus has been given the green light.

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.

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

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

“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 MBE, added: “The new park and ride which has been approved is a welcome step here in Carrickfergus.

“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, added: “I’m delighted to see this development being approved.

"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.”

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.