Demolition work has begun on the facade of a fire-damaged building near Glasgow Central station, which partially reopened 10 days after the blaze. The main part of the station had been closed since 8 March after the fire destroyed much of the Union Corner building.
Services from some high-level platforms resumed on Wednesday, with the 5.45am train to Ayr and the 5.48am Avanti West Coast service to London Euston among the first to depart. The station’s Gordon Street, Union Street and Hope Street entrances remain shut, but the low-level entrances and Hope Street carriage driveway have reopened.
Gordon Street remains cordoned off as workers in a cage suspended from a crane began dismantling the facade, the only remaining part of the building at the junction with Union Street. Network Rail said the partial reopening means reduced capacity and urged passengers to check journey times.
Services to Ayr, Paisley Gilmour Street, Kilwinning, Gourock, Kilmarnock, East Kilbride and Carlisle have resumed, some at reduced capacity. David Ross, ScotRail chief operating officer, said: “Resuming services on more than half the high-level platforms is a big step forward and will ensure as many people as possible can travel into Glasgow city centre.”
Passengers welcomed the reopening. Claire Macdonald from Clarkston said: “It’s good to have it up and running again.” Ross Moran, Network Rail route director, noted the challenging situation and thanked those working to restore full access safely. Glasgow City Council said demolition of the “very unstable” Victorian building is necessary for public safety.
