Media centre

Wednesday 3 Mar 2010

WORK BEGINS ON NEW £5m GOUROCK STATION

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Network Rail has today (March 3) begun construction work on the site of the new £5m Gourock station.

Scheduled for completion in November 2010, the new station will greatly improve facilities for passengers at Gourock and allow for better integration of road, rail and ferry links.

Providing a brighter, more welcoming environment for customers and staff, the development will include a covered walkway to the ferry terminal and create a station layout which is compatible with future redevelopment of the waterfront area.

Once the main station works are finished, the second phase of the project will see the demolition of redundant buildings at the station and the renovation of its platforms and seawall.

Between winter 2010 and December 2011, a new platform canopy will also be installed and the north wall refurbished to include glazed sections offering unobstructed sea views.

Ron McAulay, Network Rail’s director Scotland, said: “The new station is a significant investment in the future of Gourock and we are glad to now be making real progress towards giving passengers the facilities they deserve.

“This development will bring real benefits to Gourock, enhancing transport facilities and ensuring the station makes an impressive first impression on visitors to the town.”

Steve Montgomery, managing director of train operator ScotRail, said: “The new station will provide a real boost to the local community and underlines the industry’s commitment to delivering improvements to rail services and more sustainable forms of transport."

The investment in Gourock is one of several Network Rail projects in the Inverclyde area, with Wemyss Bay station also earmarked for more than £4m-worth of renovation work and extensive platform improvement and extensions works ongoing across the route.

Inverclyde Council's Regeneration Convener, Councillor Jim Clocherty, said: "The new station is at the heart of redevelopment plans for the whole waterfront and it will greatly improve passenger facilities and road, rail and ferry links. Network Rail has shown its commitment to Gourock with this investment and I am sure everyone in the town will recognise the significance of what is being undertaken."