Media centre

Wednesday 24 Jun 2009

NETWORK RAIL UNVEILS £5M GOUROCK STATION PROPOSALS

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Network Rail has submitted plans for a new £5m train station at Gourock to Inverclyde Council.

Under the proposals, Network Rail will construct a new station building and train operating facility, redesign the road lay-out to improve access to bus and taxi services and demolish several redundant buildings.

The project will also see the renovation of the existing platforms, the installation of a new platform canopy, the creation of a new covered walkway to the ferry terminal and the refurbishment of the north wall to include glazed sections offering unobstructed sea views.

Planned for completion in 2011, the new station will greatly improve passenger facilities and better integrate road, rail and ferry links. It will also deliver a brighter, more welcoming environment for customers and staff and create a station layout which is compatible with any future redevelopment of the waterfront area.

Ron McAulay, Network Rail’s director Scotland, said: “This is a significant investment in the future of Gourock which will bring real benefits for travellers and enhance the town and its transport facilities.

“In the current economic climate, with many organisations scaling back on investment projects and development plans, Network Rail is committed to continuing to improve the country’s rail network and will be spending nearly £3bn across Scotland’s railway in the next five years.”

The investment in Gourock is one of several projects for the Inverclyde area, with Wemyss Bay station also earmarked for more than £4m-worth of renovation work and platform improvement works at Port Glasgow having recently been completed.

Network Rail’s proposals have also been welcomed by David Cairns MP, and his Holyrood counterpart, Duncan McNeill.

David Cairns said: “I am pleased that we now have firm proposals for a new railway station interchange facility for Gourock. Station improvements are overdue and I welcome this significant capital investment in Inverclyde’s infrastructure. I look forward to the project’s development and to using the modern facilities that this project will deliver. I hope this investment will act a catalyst for further investment.”

Duncan McNeil added: "I welcome this level of investment in Inverclyde's railway stations and I am delighted that at long last we are making progress. With Gourock in particular, I am confident that we can work together with Network Rail, Inverclyde Council and, of course, the people of the town to ensure that through the planning process we can deliver a station that befits this stunning location and gateway to the Highlands."