Funding for an investigation into new “park and choose” railway platforms in Tayside has been granted by the Scottish Government.
The feasibility study will look at potential sites along the Perth to Montrose rail track.
Perth-based Tactran believes the strategy will improve air quality in Perth and Dundee city centres, while complementing Dundee’s Low Emission Zones (LEZ) proposals.
It will also help prepare for Scotrail’s “rail revolution” that was announced three years ago, involving the introduction of 200 new services, providing 20,000 extra seats a day.
The new survey was one of several projects across Scotland to win a slice of Transport Scotland’s £817,000 local rail development fund.
A Tactran spokesman said: “The study will focus on whether park-and-choose sites along the Perth to Montrose rail – maximising the opportunities presented by Scotrail’s Revolution in Rail – can address the transport issues of reducing and managing peak time trips in and through Dundee and Perth.”
It will also look at ways of increasing links for communities outside the two cities, particularly towns and villages in Angus.
The new wave of funding follows last year’s launch of an appraisal to assess a possible new railway station to support the 1,500-home Oudenarde development proposed for Bridge of Earn.
Announcing the latest windfall, Transport Secretary Michael Matheson said: “Since 2007, we have demonstrated our commitment to Scotland’s railway by investing about £8bn in rail services and infrastructure.
“Future investment partly relies on local communities embracing the potential it offers and, in turn, bringing forward new ideas.”
He said: “We know that the costs of transport appraisal can be a significant barrier, but appraisals are a fundamental, evidence-gathering step when considering transport issues and opportunities.
“The local rail development fund responds to this by providing practical help for local stakeholders and I am please that the fund remains popular with those looking to secure local benefits.”
A regional park and ride strategy was approved by Tactran in 2008.
The organisation’s latest delivery plan shows that potential parking sites are being investigated on the eastern approach to Dundee city centre and to the north of Perth.
There are also plans for a park and ride scheme at Kinfauns.
