A new Park and Ride facility has been officially opened at Trooperslane in County Antrim.

Work on the site adjacent to Trooperslane Train Station near Carrickfergus has reached completion.

The new facility includes 212 car parking spaces, CCTV coverage and SMART lighting alongside secure cycle storage to enhance passenger security and convenience. It will provide much needed additional Park and Ride capacity on this section of the Larne rail line, helping to meet current and future demand and playing a role in reducing congestion and air pollution on this major transport corridor.

The site has also been future-proofed to allow the easy provision and installation of electric vehicle charging points to help progress Zero Emission ambitions. 

Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd joined Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway to officially open the site.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Minister O'Dowd said: "It is important that we make public transport as accessible as possible and providing park and ride facilities is a vital part of that. Previously at this location parking was limited and that was a barrier to passengers wishing to use the Trooperslane halt. With these additional 212 spaces and enhanced cycle facilities I hope that many more people in the surrounding areas will be able to make greater use of the railway service.

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"We know there are too many cars on our roads and this leads to congestion, longer journey times and increased car emissions. Using public transport can help to provide a stress free commute, remove some of the traffic from our roads and improve air quality. Even just switching some journeys each week from the car to the bus or train can make a difference so I would encourage people to consider that.   

"This is one of a number of new Park and Ride sites which will be delivered across the north. Other facilities are being progressed at Cairnshill, Downpatrick, Comber, Newtownards, Moira, Tillysburn and Dungiven. When completed they will provide over 3000 additional spaces and give more people the chance to use the public transport network."

Translink Group Chief Executive Chris Conway added: "I am proud that this new Park and Ride site at Trooperslane – a facility much anticipated by the local community – has been delivered. It will have a major positive impact for passengers in the wider Carrickfergus area and will help to make travel by train a more attractive option for more people in the locality.

"Trooperslane is an accessible, convenient and safe Park and Ride, helping to boost passenger numbers and lowering the risk of traffic congestion on the main route into and out of Belfast and helping to improve connections for employment, education and enjoyment.

"The ongoing development of Park and Ride facilities across Northern Ireland is a key part of Translink's focus in encouraging more people to make use of bus and train services in their daily routine, and helps to drive a shift towards active, sustainable modes of travel, reducing dependence on the private car and moving towards a cleaner, greener future where public transport acts as everyone’s first choice for travel, today, for tomorrow."