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Tuesday 9 Apr 2019

New platforms on-track for Glasgow Queen Street

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

The transformation of Glasgow Queen Street station will enter a new phase this month as engineers begin work to complete the extension of the station’s platforms.

From April 15 until mid-June, work will be taking place behind the hoardings on the main concourse to create new buffer end stops for the extension of platforms two, three, four and five.

The platforms are being extended so longer electric trains can use the station, delivering more seats and faster journeys for customers as part of the £120m redevelopment of Glasgow Queen Street.

In order to install new infrastructure, the circulation space on the main concourse will be adjusted with the hoardings moving a further five metres into the station.

From mid-June until the end of the month, engineers will then be working in front of platforms two and three to uncover a space beneath the concourse that was originally excavated during the 2016 Queen Street closure.

Re-covered with a temporary concourse while other elements of the station redevelopment were being delivered, this previously-excavated area will form the basis of the 26m extension to platforms two and three.

Platforms two and three will be out of use throughout July while engineers complete the connection to the platform extensions and extend overhead lines, install coping stones, rebuild sections of platform wall and carry-out surfacing works.

Kevin McClelland, route delivery director for infrastructure projects, said: “The new-look station is beginning to take shape with the steel frame of the extended station building now in position and work underway to create the new concourse.

“Over the summer, our focus will also move back into the operational station area as we work to complete the longer platforms needed for the new electric trains which are now running on routes across the central belt.

“We will be working hard to complete the platform extensions as quickly as possible for customers and have phased the delivery of the new infrastructure to reduce disruption to services to a minimum.”

Bill Reeve, Transport Scotland's Director of Rail, said: “These forthcoming works mark another significant milestone in the delivery of this iconic station development.

“The Queen Street Station project is a key part of the Scottish Government's wider rail investment and, once delivered, will radically improve the gateway to the city and beyond. At the same time, it will provide faster, greener, longer services between Glasgow and Edinburgh, making rail an even more attractive travel choice for commuters and visitors alike.

“Every effort will be made to minimise the inconvenience to passengers during these works which are a precursor to the opening of the longer platforms later this year and the full station in March next year.”

A further phase of work will take place between mid-September and mid-October to extend platforms four and five.

Once completed, in 2020, the Scottish Government-funded redeveloped station will provide extended platforms for longer trains of up to eight carriages and an expanded concourse in a contemporary and distinctive building.