Highlands and Islands MSP David Stewart has raised concerns over a decision to slash the number of parking spaces at the new Dalcross Railway Station by 100 in the revised design.
Mr Stewart has written to the Transport Secretary Michael Matheson asking for the reasoning behind it.
First phase plans for the original single platform scheme showed the car park would have 150 parking spaces.
In his response to Mr Stewart’s parliamentary question, Mr Matheson has this week confirmed the number of parking spaces will be reduced to 50.
Mr Stewart said: “I wholeheartedly support alternative modes of transportation, including cycling and public transport but I feel it is important to understand why 50 parking spaces are planned instead of 150 at a station that’s set to serve the regional airport with new park and ride facilities and additional parking space, and to also serve the Inverness Airport Business Park and the Tornagrain housing settlement as well as ease pressure on the A96.
“Mr Matheson said in his reply to me that the number of parking spaces will be kept under review, ‘in line with demand once the new station is operational’, but I have written back to him asking what has motivated his team to build 50 parking spaces instead of 150 at the outset.”
Transport chiefs are in the final stages of redrawing plans for a bigger station with two platforms and a double-track.
