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Friday 31 Oct 2008

GOUROCK ON TRACK FOR STATION UPGRADES

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

A modern station, improved customer information screens and a walkway to the ferry terminal are just some of the benefits rail passengers will gain from a multi-million pound makeover at Gourock Station.

Transport Scotland and Inverclyde Council have accepted Network Rail’s proposals for a station upgrade that will bring real benefits to passengers and staff by providing a modern station building.

Over the next 18 months, Network Rail, which is finalising its designs for the refurbishment of the station, will fund and deliver upgrades which will also include improvements to the walkway to ferry services and stabilisation of the sea wall.

Transport Scotland is supporting this preferred option now as it ensures passengers benefit from improvements to Gourock Station in the near future while ensuring the potential for a smaller scale commercial and residential development on the waterfront. This project will replace previous plans for a large transport interchange that would have taken a longer time to deliver as they required Gourock station to be moved.

Ron McAulay, Network Rail Director Scotland, said: "The proposals to refurbish the existing station site will not only create a welcoming and modern environment for passengers and staff, but also a facility which will provide future opportunities to link this project into the wider redevelopment of Gourock’s waterfront. Network Rail is extremely pleased to be delivering this project for the town and looks forward to working with our partners at Inverclyde Council and Transport Scotland on this important scheme."

Councillor Jim Clocherty, Convener of Inverclyde Council's Regeneration Committee, added: "The Council has been working hard with our partners to bring forward proposals at the Gourock Transport Interchange. We are keen to maximise investment opportunities from Network Rail's development of Gourock Station and look forward to producing a plan for the overall development of the Rail Head, Gourock Pierhead and the former MoD Pier. This is a much anticipated project for Gourock and its people and we want to ensure that what is prepared is the best solution for all concerned."

Bill Reeve, Transport Scotland's Director - Rail, said: "We have endorsed this project in place of a larger interchange as it is more financially viable and deliverable and it is now time to ensure that passengers and station staff get the modern station facilities that Gourock has long deserved. These station improvements will make the station and walkway to the ferry more attractive and encourage more people to use public transport."