East Renfrewshire is getting a new train station very soon, as Barrhead continues growing. Scheduled to open on September 27, Balgray station in Barrhead will serve Glasgow Central, “providing easier access to destinations including Dams to Darnley Country Park”.
The initiative is part of the Glasgow City Region City Deal, and is funded by the UK and Scottish Governments, as well as East Renfrewshire Council.
The construction work for Balgray station is now complete, with final testing being carried as there is only one month left until opening.
The new station boasts two platforms connected by a footbridge, as well as lifts, waiting shelters, cycle storage, ticket machines and an 80-space car park.
Ashley McDonald, scheme project manager at Network Rail Scotland, said: “With just one month to go, Balgray station is really starting to look and feel like part of the railway. A huge amount of work has gone into getting us to this point and, over the coming weeks, our focus is on completing the final testing and preparations needed to welcome passengers safely in September. We’re looking forward to seeing the first trains call at the station and the difference it’ll make for people travelling across the area.”
Phil Campbell, ScotRail customer operations director, added: “It’s fantastic to see Balgray station now just one month away from opening, and we’re looking forward to welcoming our first customers in September.
The new station will make it easier for people in the growing local community to choose rail for work, education, and leisure, while providing convenient connections to Glasgow and across Scotland.
We’re committed to encouraging more people to choose the train as their preferred mode of transport, and new stations like Balgray play an important role in making rail a more accessible and attractive option.
We’re proud to have worked alongside our partners to help deliver this investment, and we look forward to seeing the benefits it brings to the community for many years to come.”
East Renfrewshire Council leader, Owen O’Donnell, said: “There’s huge excitement from local residents about the opening of Balgray station – the first new train station in East Renfrewshire in almost 100 years. Balgray station will make it much easier for our growing community in Barrhead to travel by public transport, and for visitors to access Dams to Darnley Country Park. On a recent visit to the station site, I was really impressed by the new facilities on offer, and it was great to see that final preparations are underway for the opening in one month’s time.”
