COMMUTERS and residents are set to face a month long ‘nightmare’ as the Johnstone train station car park gets set to close for resurfacing.

Work will begin at the site on Saturday, January 5, for the car park to get a makeover – and it will not open again to the public until Monday, February 4.

This means commuters who use the station will have to park in the surrounding residential areas or in the town’s high street.

READ MORE: Johnstone businesses set to suffer during works

The car park only reopened in 2015 and local councillors are now asking for rail chiefs to do all they can to ensure the impact on local residents and commuters is kept to a minimum.

The Gazette:

The station only reopened in 2015 after a second level was built in the car park 

Cllr John Hood says he has spoken to residents in Overton Road who have expressed concerns about a spike in cars looking to park in the area. 

He told The Gazette: “This is going to be an absolute nightmare for commuters and residents. They could have done this in a better fashion than just shut the whole thing for a month. There are already residents who can’t get into their driveways as cars are parking outside them and this will only get worse when the car park closes.” 

The Gazette:

Cllr John Hood says he has spoken to residents who have already expressed concerns 

Meanwhile, Councillor Andy Doig, who represents Johnstone North, believes this is a chance to build an extra level in the car park to tackle overcrowding.

He said: “While I am glad the car park is being upgraded, I have previously called for it to be extended and believe this is the ideal time for that to be considered.

“They need to look at a 24-hour work schedule to ensure that the resurfacing gets done as quickly as possible and this minimises disruption to residents.

The Gazette:

Local residents have expressed concerns about more cars parking in the area 

“And I feel this would be the ideal time to look at installing another level as the car park is already overcrowded.”

ScotRail has defended the work and says it is part of improvements at 23 stations across Scotland.

READ MORE: Johnstone car park closure chaos - residents and commuters have their say

Head of customer operations, Phil Campbell, said: “The work being carried out will benefit customers in the long term by ensuring a high standard of access to the station.

“However, while this work takes place, we appreciate that some adjustment to travel plans may be required. 

“We are encouraging people to consider whether they could use alternative stations or get dropped off instead.”

Customers with mobility issues should call the ScotRail’s travel team on 0800 912 2901 (Textphone 18001 0800 912 2 901) or visit www.scotrail.co.uk/accessible-travel