Plans have been granted to extend Harthill’s Park and Ride facility.
North Lanarkshire Council has given the green light to the extension which will see an additional 57 parking bays created with access at Miller Street.
No objections were received from the public regarding the proposals.
The delegated report states: “It is considered that a car park is an appropriate rural use at this particular location and will provide economic benefit, have minimal adverse environmental impacts, poses no infrastructure implications, has a specific locational need and respects natural boundaries.
“The existing park and ride facility is over utilised with many vehicles parked on the road out with the dedicated parking area.
“It is considered that the proposed park and ride facility will be a valuable asset to the area and help reduce car journeys to and from Glasgow and Edinburgh by commuters.
“It is utilising an area of ground that is not in productive use, albeit that it not an unattractive piece of land.
“Taking into account our assessment it is considered that the proposed development would be acceptable.”
In 2017, North Lanarkshire Council agreed to purchase the land in order to extend the park and ride facility.
The acquisition of the Miller Street site, which cost the council £77,500, was agreed following a meeting at the Civic Centre.
The then Harthill councillor Charlie Cefferty said: ““It will be a tremendous boost as this is something that we have been working for around 12 or 13 years.
“If you speak to anyone locally they will say that this has been badly needed.
“We are midway between Glasgow and Edinburgh so to have a larger Park and Ride to allow people to commute and travel to both cities is important.”
