Further exit reopens at Glasgow Central two weeks on from Union Street fire

A further exit has reopened at Glasgow Central Station two weeks after a fire that destroyed a nearby building.

Network Rail has reopened the Hope Street exit to give passengers another way to leave the station.

A temporary layout remains in place following the Union Street fire on March 8, which caused significant structural damage to a neighbouring building.

An exclusion zone was established across the main concourse, closing off the usual entry and exit points while demolition work is carried out outside.

The Hope Street route will operate as an exit only, with passengers arriving on platforms 7-10 being guided by station staff along a managed corridor beside the exclusion zone and directed onto the street.

Train services will continue to arrive and depart from platforms 7-15 only, with platforms 1-6 remaining unavailable. STV News

Gordon Street and Union Street entrances remain closed.

The low-level station and Hope Street driveway are continuing to operate as normal.

Train services will continue to arrive and depart from platforms 7-15 only, with platforms 1-6 remaining unavailable.

Retail units in the station also remain closed.

Glasgow City Council said it expected the remaining facade of the Union Street building to be demolished by the end of Friday.

However, the cordon will remain in place as removal of rubble begins.

Work on the site will be carried out between 7am and 7pm daily until the site is cleared.

Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail, said: “The station has been operating very differently this week, and I want to thank everyone for the patience and understanding they’ve shown. Railway staff have been working hard to guide people safely through the temporary arrangements, and passengers have been incredibly cooperative.

“Our retailers have also shown real patience throughout this disruption, and we’re working closely with them to help manage their stores as access improves.

An exclusion zone will remain in place while rubble is removed STV News

“We continue to work closely with the council and train operators as we deal with the aftermath of this incident. Reopening the Hope Street exit is a positive step forward, but there’s still vital work under way.

“We’re asking passengers to keep bearing with us while these safety measures are in place.”

Council leader Susan Aitken added: “I’m really grateful to the council teams and contractors who have worked around the clock with colleagues at Network Rail to make this possible.

“Public safety must remain our first priority, but we are all acutely aware of how many people, in Glasgow and right across the country, depend on Central Station day-to-day, and everyone involved is working towards that goal.”