'Significant' upgrades at Strabane bus depot

THE Department for Infrastructure (DfI) is advancing plans for a further Park and Ride facility within Strabane.

Infrastructure Minister, Liz Kimmins, provided the update to West Tyrone SDLP MLA., Daniel McCrossan, via an Assembly question.

He had written to the Minister in a ‘priority written’ Assembly question asking "for an update on discussions regarding a Park and Ride facility at Bradley Way, Strabane."

A park and ride is a parking area with public transport connections that allows commuters and other people to leave their vehicles and transfer to public transport.

The vehicle is left in the parking area during the day and retrieved when the owner returns.

Minister Kimmins said the development of additional facilities within the town will depend on the availability of funding.

"My department has identified the potential for further Park and Ride facilities in the vicinity of the existing Bus Station in Strabane on Bradley Way where the existing parking is often at capacity," Ms Kimmins said.

"My officials continue to consider options for Park and Ride sites as part of the development of the draft Regional Strategic Transport Plan and the priority for further sites including Strabane will be influenced by the outcome of the Plan.

"Development of future priority sites identified as part of this process will be dependent on the availability of appropriate funding."

Minister Kimmins was also questioned by Mr McCrossan if there are any plans to upgrade the local station, and revealed the completion of a recent series of upgrades.

She explained: "Strabane Bus Depot has recently had a new site wide emergency lighting system installed.

"There were also significant safety upgrades complete in December 2021 which included resurfacing of the car park, installation of safety protection bollards, new automated barrier installations, drainage replacement and upgrades, increased lighting levels in line with current safety standards, new line markings and updated signage."