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Friday 9 Aug 2024

Community welcomes Uddingston station’s ‘modern feel’ as accessibility project nears completion

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Passengers travelling through Uddingston station can benefit from easier, step-free access to both platforms, as the station’s new lifts are now open.

Colleagues from Scotland's Railway were joined by fire service representatives to conduct final inspections on the new lifts before they opened at the South Lanarkshire station.

The lifts are part of the Access for All scheme, which aims to make it easier for people with reduced mobility or those travelling with luggage, children, or bicycles to travel by train.

Kirsty Bright who was travelling with her mum Mary and 12-week-old daughter Aurelia were the first passengers to use one of the lifts at the station.

Kirsty said: “The new bridge gives a modern feel to the station. A lift has been installed, making it more accessible to many including myself whilst travelling with the pram. As a mum with a double pram, I was happy to see the lift was spacious inside.”

Community organisation Grow Uddingston work tirelessly throughout the year to keep the station in full bloom.

During this project, some planted areas had to be moved but have now been repositioned and replanted, in collaboration with ScotRail who manage the station.

Michael Hart, on behalf of Uddginston Community Council, said: “Thanks to Network Rail and STORY for meeting their schedule and for effectively managing access during the building of the new bridge and installation of the lifts, minimising disruption to the public.

“Grow Uddingston have already started planting the new beds around the station just in time for judges from Keep Scotland Beautiful to enjoy our blooming village.

“We look forward to Uddingston Station returning to being one of the most attractive in Scotland with greater access for all.”

Susan Menmuir, Scheme Project Manager for Network Rail said: “We are delighted to be able to provide an improved and more accessible route between the platforms at Uddingston station.

“The work that has been completed will greatly enhance the experience of passengers and will make it easier for them to navigate the station.

“The main work is now complete and the raised beds and hanging baskets give the station that finishing touch – thanks to the great work from Grow Uddingston.”

The total weight of the new structure is 75 tonnes with the largest component - the bridge deck - weighing approximately 15 tonnes. Engineers used a 230-tonne crane and a 60-tonne crane to lift the superstructure into place back in March.

An event to mark the official opening of the footbridge and lift is being planned for later this month at the station, which serves passengers travelling on the West Coast Main Line.