Glasgow Central station is about to see its biggest improvements for passenger services in more than 100 years with the creation of two new platforms.

The platforms will provide the capacity needed for Transport Scotland’s Glasgow Airport Rail Link project and also enhance Central’s ability to accommodate the growing number of passenger services using Scotland’s busiest station.

The new platforms, which will be numbered 12 and 13, will be created in the area of the existing short-stay car park between platforms 11 and 14 and, as a result, the short-stay car park and pick up/set down facilities will close permanently on September 27, 2009. The closure of the car park will also mean an end to private vehicle access at the station.

Ron McAulay, Network Rail director Scotland, said: “The new platforms will significantly enhance capacity at Central, not only for the new airport rail link, but for the growing number of services using what is Scotland’s busiest station each day. Network Rail is committed to expanding the country’s railway and we look forward to delivering this element of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link works.”

Nadia Savage, GARL Project Director for Transport Scotland, added: "Across the various areas of necessary work, we continue to make progress on this vital project for the economy of the west of Scotland and beyond and I am pleased to see another important piece in the jigsaw getting underway. As well as the link to the airport, this work is paving the way for significant improvements to Ayrshire and Inverclyde services in advance of the new fleet of 38 eco-friendly electric trains being launched to the west of Scotland by the Scottish Government in September 2010."

The existing platform 12, which is outwith the coverage of the main roof and a considerable distance from the concourse and station facilities, will also close permanently from Christmas to permit the track realignment necessary to create a route to the two new platforms.

Set down and pick up facilities for passengers will remain available in Union Street, adjacent to the step-free Gordon Street station entrance and also the stepped Union Street entrance. Additional options for set down and pick up facilities in the vicinity of the station are also being examined and commercial car parking facilities in Oswald St and other locations adjacent to Central are available.