Glasgow Central to Partially Reopen After Nearby Building Fire

Glasgow Central railway station will partially reopen following a fire that destroyed much of a neighboring building, with Network Rail warning of reduced capacity and advising passengers to check their journeys.

By Abdiwahab Ahmed
Axadle Times international–Monitoring

The main part of the station has been closed since March 8 after the fire destroyed much of the building next to the station.

Network Rail said the partial reopening will mean reduced capacity and urged passengers to check journey times before traveling. It said the station will look different and that staff will be on hand to offer advice.

Glasgow City Council said it is in the interests of public safety to demolish what remains of the Victorian building, which it described as very unstable. Demolition experts have been working to safely bring down parts of the remaining structure.

The fire began in a vape shop on Union Street and spread through the building and around the corner, with only the facade at the junction with Gordon Street left standing.

Services in the lower level of the station began running again last week.

ScotRail said stringent safety checks had been carried out ahead of the partial reopening.

“I am very pleased we will be able to welcome customers back to Glasgow Central high level following the partial reopening of the station from Wednesday.” — David Ross, ScotRail chief operating officer

“We realise the closure is causing significant disruption for our customers, and we’re very sorry for the impact it is still having on journeys.” — David Ross, ScotRail chief operating officer

“I think what we have seen through the response from Network Rail staff and from ScotRail staff, it’s been a phenomenal effort to bring people together to get the station into a position where it can be made available to passengers,” Ms Irvine said.

Further details on the full reopening were not immediately available.