THE £18.3 million Balgray Railway Station in Barrhead is nearing completion, with it set to open next month.
Story Contracting is main contractor on the Network Rail project, with the new station designed to improve rail connections to and from Glasgow.
The station will feature two platforms connected by a footbridge with lifts, waiting shelters, cycle storage, ticket machines, and an 80-space car park. New walking routes linking the station to nearby housing developments and paths around Balgray Reservoir also feature.
The project forms part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal. The wider project team includes East Renfrewshire Council, Transport Scotland, and ScotRail.
Ashley McDonald, scheme project manager at Network Rail Scotland, said, “With just one month to go, Balgray station is really starting to look and feel like part of the railway. A huge amount of work has gone into getting us to this point and, over the coming weeks, our focus is on completing the final testing and preparations needed to welcome passengers safely in September. We’re looking forward to seeing the first trains call at the station and the difference it’ll make for people travelling across the area.”
While the main construction work is complete, teams are continuing with final testing, safety checks and other behind-the-scenes preparations ahead of opening day.
East Renfrewshire Council leader, Owen O’Donnell, added, “There’s huge excitement from local residents about the opening of Balgray station – the first new train station in East Renfrewshire in almost 100 years. Balgray station will make it much easier for our growing community in Barrhead to travel by public transport, and for visitors to access Dams to Darnley Country Park. On a recent visit to the station site, I was really impressed by the new facilities on offer and it was great to see that final preparations are underway for the opening in one month’s time.”
