WORK is ongoing to switch-on one of Scotland's largest low carbon travel hubs in Stirling.

Plans to transform Stirling Council's Castleview Park and Ride site into a sustainable transport and renewable energy hub are in full swing.

Work is ongoing to install solar panels covering a 1,375sqm area and 32 new electric vehicle (EV) chargers.

Construction works began on Monday, August 3, and when complete, the Castleview Solar Energy Hub will generate roughly 250,000kWh annually.

Councillor Jim Thomson, convener of the council's Environment and Housing Committee, said: “This is a massive step forward in our aims to protect the environment and encourage more sustainable modes of transport.

“Castleview is a strategic location for residents and visitors and the installation of these solar panels and a range of chargers will make it a landmark on Scotland’s growing green energy highway infrastructure.”

Solar canopies at the site will cover 132 parking spaces in a bid to generate electricity to be used in buildings, street lighting, EV charging and electric bike charging at Castleview.

Additional active travel and low carbon opportunities at the site will include an e-bike share scheme in addition to the NextBike scheme already in place, bike lockers and racks as well as improved paths and safe links from the site into the Stirling's city centre.

The new EV charger infrastructure will supplement the existing single fast charger and rapid charger.

There will be 20 dual slow chargers: ideal for commuters, with an average charge time of eight hours.

Nine dual fast chargers will be ideal for tourists and shoppers, with an average charge time of 2.6 hours.

And three dual rapid chargers will also be available, generally for those on longer journeys and with an average charge time of 22 minutes.

Cllr Danny Gibson, vice convener of the environment committee, added: “Our goal here is to provide commuters, residents and visitors with increased opportunities for active and low carbon travel.

“The installation of solar panels and 32 extra chargers on the site will encourage a shift to electric vehicles in line with our own and the Scottish Government's targets.”

The plans for Castleview are part of a pilot project and if deemed successful, the local authority says it will consider replicating the plans to scale in other locations, including rural areas.