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Monday 10 Aug 2015

Stirling station investment is first glass

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Work will shortly begin on a 14-month programme at Stirling station to deliver a £3m investment to upgrade and replace the glass roof and install safe access for future maintenance on the listed building.

Existing glass panels, which are prone to cracking and discolouration will be replaced with a modern light-weight polycarbonate glazing system.

The project will also install a non-intrusive roof access system as previously the lack of access to the roof has led to deterioration of the historic structure due to corrosion, damp, vegetation growth and from pigeon droppings.

The polycarbonate glazing system is strong, corrosion resistant and self-cleaning and delivers a modern, innovative solution to the problems with the station’s glass panelled roof.

A similar system has also been used at the new Haymarket Station in Edinburgh.

As well as improving the overall environment in a lighter, brighter station, this work will safeguard the listed station building. Making the roof water-tight, and enhancing the guttering and drainage, will protect the retained timbers and metal work from further corrosion.

All timber and metal work will be cleaned and painted to further enhance the final appearance of the station when work is completed in November 2016.

Bruce Crawford, MSP for Stirling, said: “I welcome this investment in Stirling station and it’s good to see work getting started. As well as looking forward to improved services and faster journey times on routes to Glasgow and Edinburgh being enabled by electrification, it is important that there is also work being done to improve the stations.

“Stirling station is an important and well used part of our city’s transport infrastructure, and the listed structure is well known and well-liked by local people. All efforts to protect and enhance its unique character and improve its overall environment will be welcomed.”

Phil Verster, managing director of the ScotRail Alliance, added: “Stations are at the heart of communities as well as being an important part of the overall experience of travelling on our railway. Their appearance and condition should reflect this important role.

“Investing in Stirling station will protect and preserve the building’s unique appearance and character while at the same time delivering a safer, brighter more comfortable station environment which will protect our customers from the vagaries of Scotland’s weather.

“As well as enhancing the aesthetics, on a practical level, this investment will make it easier for us to clean and maintain the station in the future and ensure that it remains a welcoming space for our customers when joining the rail network.”

Work begins to install the 2,440 square metre polycarbonate glazed roof from August 17 and will be completed by November 2016. It will be delivered in phases to minimise the impact on the operation of the station and hoardings will be in place throughout to physically separate the work from public areas in the station.

There will be no disruption to train services through the station during this work.