Train station facelift unveiled

The station will serve the new Forth Valley hospital

Travellers at Larbert Station will be able to enjoy state-of-the-art facilities thanks to a new £850,000 facelift.

The station now boasts a 246 space car park, cycle lockers and an improved footway and cycleway.

A bus turning circle has been installed to serve a shuttle bus to the new Forth Valley hospital, which will be built in the town.

A CCTV system has also been put in place to increase passenger security.

Larbert is a popular station for commuters travelling from central Scotland to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The upgrade, which will be officially opened on Monday, was carried out by the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran) along with Falkirk Council, First ScotRail and Network Rail.

Larbert Station's new car park has 246 spaces. That means 246 less cars on the roads each day Russell Imrie SEStran chairman

SEStran chairman Russell Imrie said he hoped the work would encourage more people to ditch their cars in favour of public transport.

He added: "Infrastructure projects, like this one at Larbert, contribute towards achieving the goal of an integrated transport strategy by providing improved station access for passengers arriving on foot or by cycle, bus or car.

"It is essential that we encourage people to get out of their cars and onto public transport, if we are to tackle congestion across the region.

"Larbert Station's new car park has 246 spaces. That means 246 less cars on the roads each day."

Councillor Craig Martin, Falkirk Council's SEStran representative, added: "Encouraging a greater use of public transport is a major priority and the completion of the Larbert Station car park will ensure that commuters can be offered a greater flexibility between public transport and car use.

"We also recognise that the new hospital in the area will require good transport links if it is to serve its community well and aspects of the development reflect this."