Part of Glasgow Central High Level to reopen tomorrow
Part of Glasgow Central High Level station will be back in use from tomorrow, after the destructive fire which gutted a neighbouring building nine days ago. ScotRail said it would be running as many trains as possible using platforms seven to 15, but entry and exit routes for passengers will be ‘limited’.
The government has announced changes to the Delay Repay system when Great British Railways is in charge. The news follows a controversial decision to restrict refunds for unused tickets to no later than 23.59 on the day before travel. However, claims for delays will be possible for the first time using the retailer who sold the tickets in the first place.
Some ScotRail services could return to Glasgow Central High Level later this week, as work continues on making the station safe after a fire destroyed a neighbouring building in Union Street nine days ago. Glasgow City Council has said what remains of the structure is unsafe and is demolishing the rest of the building, while checks have been continuing at Glasgow Central, where water is known to have caused some damage to an office.
The Department for Transport’s programme of renationalisation is continuing, with the next former franchise, Govia Thameslink Railway, set to be taken over by DfT Operator on 31 May.
There is no reopening date for the main line platforms at Glasgow Central yet, after a building next door was gutted by fire on Sunday. The remains of the building are unsafe and Glasgow City Council is arranging demolition.
Five restored railway stations are due to open in the West Midlands over the next three or four weeks, so long as safety inspectors from the Office of Rail and Road give them the green light. West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker said that stations were set to open at Darlaston and Willenhall on 19 March, followed by three at Moseley Village, Kings Heath and Pineapple Road on the Camp Hill line on 7 April, and that ‘final authorisation from the Office of Rail and Road is expected in the coming days’.
The main platforms at Glasgow Central are set to stay closed until next week at the earliest, following the major fire in a building next to the station on Sunday. Network Rail is concerned about an unstable wall adjoining the station, and said assessments need to be carried out before the rest of Glasgow Central can be used again. However, trains to places such as Dalmuir, Larkhall and Motherwell are calling again this morning at the low level platforms 16 and 17.