Work continues on £8m redevelopment of Aberdeen train station

PROGRESS is being made on the £8 million redevelopment of Aberdeen train station, ScotRail has said.

The project, which is being led by Morrison Construction and was designed by Austin-Smith:Lord, is promised to make ‘significant’ changes to the look of the station – which has sat in the heart of Aberdeen city centre for more than 150 years.

Since Christmas, work has focussed on conserving, maintaining and protecting the listed building areas of the station. Existing staff accommodation areas have also been redeveloped in this time, with an additional accommodation area also being built.

ScotRail said much of the work thus far will have been unseen by customers, however added that there will shortly be more visible construction in the main concourse area which will have a ‘major’ impact on the appearance of the station.

The train operator said that this phase of the work is expected to be completed by the middle of May 2021 and when the project is concluded by winter 2021 it will have delivered:

• ‘Significant; enhancement of the quality and variety of station retail facilities.
• Improvements to the taxi rank area and enhanced cycle parking.
• Relocation of the existing ticket office and first-class lounge to create additional high value retail areas.
• Improved visibility of the ticket office, creating an improved ticket retail environment and lounge.
• Improved station entrance and connectivity with Union Square and the wider Aberdeen city centre.
• Redevelopment of staff accommodation and additional operational staff areas to allow for future growth.
• Works to enhance the listed station building in partnership with the Railway Heritage Trust.

Kirsty Devlin, ScotRail head of projects & PMO, said, “This is a really exciting time for rail users in this part of Scotland. The £8million investment in Aberdeen station is all part of ScotRail’s plan to deliver better facilities and a more modern railway for customers when coronavirus restrictions are lifted and we see passengers returning to the rail network.”