Glasgow Central high-level to partially reopen following devastating fire

Glasgow Central station’s high-level is to partially reopen this week following a devastating fire on nearby Union Street.

Network Rail confirmed Scotland’s busiest railway station will allow the return of some ScotRail and cross-border train services from Wednesday.

It comes after a devastating fire ravaged the landmark Union Corner building that backs on to the station last Sunday.

The blaze began in a shop and spread through the building and around the corner, closing the station. Low-level services were able to resume last week.

aftermath of the fire on union street STV News

Glasgow City Council established an exclusion zone around the fire-damaged building while demolition work takes place on the remaining part of the facade.

This cordon will continue to cover the upper part of Central Station, including the Union Street, Gordon Street and Hope Street entrances, Network Rail said.

To enable the partial reopening of some platforms from Wednesday, passengers will access the station via the low-level entrances and the Hope Street carriage driveway.

Facilities and shops within the station will remain closed, with barriers and signage marking the exclusion zone.

Passengers are asked to check journeys with their operator before travelling due to timetable changes.

Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland: “We’re grateful for the patience and understanding shown by passengers, businesses and the wider community over this past week.

“This has been an exceptionally challenging situation for everyone affected and I want to thank all those involved who have worked tirelessly to get us to the point where we can safely welcome people back to the station.

“While temporary arrangements will remain in place for a little while longer, we want to reassure customers that our focus is on keeping them moving safely as services return.

“We’ll carry on working closely with all operators and partners to restore full access as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Following a major operation by hundreds of firefighters, the site was passed over to Glasgow City Council to complete the demolition.

The council confirmed that chimney work at the building is now complete, with further work to be carried out on what remains of the Union Corner building, including the southern gable wall and the steel staircase.

However, there is said to be “no timescale at the moment” for when the façade demolition will take place.

Raymond Barlow, head of building standards in the city, told STV News that the structure was “fatally compromised”.

He said that it wasn’t possible to put a definite timetable on the works but it would take weeks.

“The facade needs to come down before we can consider, certainly the entrances on Gordon Street, can reopen,” Mr Barlow said.

ScotRail confirms changes to timetable – which trains are running?

ScotRail said platforms seven to 15 on the west side of the station will be back in use from the start of service on Wednesday.

From the start of service on Wednesday, the following will operate:

Ayr and Glasgow Central – a half-hourly service, calling at all stations between Paisley Gilmour Street – Kilwinning (Johnstone / Milliken Park / Howwood / Lochwinnoch / Glengarnock / Dalry).
Gourock and Glasgow Central – an hourly service, calling at all stations.
Wemyss Bay and Glasgow Central – an hourly service, calling at all stations.
Kilmarnock and Glasgow Central – a half-hourly service, calling at all stations (integrated with normal Carlisle/South Ayrshire services).
East Kilbride and Glasgow Central – a half-hourly service.
Lanark and Glasgow Central – an hourly service.

David Ross, ScotRail Chief Operating Officer, said: “I am very pleased we will be able to welcome customers back to Glasgow Central high level following the partial reopening of the station from Wednesday.

“We realise the closure is causing significant disruption for our customers, and we’re very sorry for the impact it is still having on journeys.

“Resuming services on more than half the high level platforms in the station is a big step forward and will ensure as many people as possible can travel into Glasgow city centre.

“The safety of our customers and staff remains our absolute priority, and while we have limited platforms and access points to the station available, we will operate as many services as we can. We will keep the timetable under regular review and when it is safe to add more services we will do so.

“Our teams continue to work hard to keep people moving, and we’d encourage customers to check their journey before travelling using the ScotRail app or website.”

On Saturday, First Minister John Swinney announced a financial package worth up to £10m to help the council, businesses and agencies “rebuild and renew” in the aftermath of the devastating blaze.

The council will administer the scheme by engaging with local businesses to understand how they have been affected.