Everything we know as Union Street fire fallout continues to cause travel chaos

The fallout from the devastating fire on Union Street continues to reverberate throughout the city with firefighters continuing to work on the site. As the city looks to recover from the fire, disruption continues on local roads and transport links.

First Minister John Swinney has pledged to assist the city in the aftermath, with city council leader Susan Aitken thanking him for offering the Scottish Government’s help.

Local business owners have been devastated to lose their livelihoods in the Victorian-built building.

Here is what we know so far:

‘National Effort’ required

Council leader Susan Aitken told us that she had held very early conversations” with First Minister John Swinney around how central government might help the rebuild response.

She said: “The First Minister reached out to me first thing this morning, and I’m really pleased that he has proactively said that the Scottish Government will help, that they’re not going to leave it up to Glasgow to deal with this on their own. I think that’s incredibly helpful. I completely agree this has to be a national effort. Glasgow City Centre is a national asset. And I’m grateful to him for doing that.”

First Minister recognsises need for “additional financial support”

Speaking at the site on Monday morning, John Swinney said that the Scottish Government will “very much be a part” of the city’s recovery.

He continued: “I don’t want to be prescriptive at this stage because I don’t know what the extent of the disruption will be and what the circumstances will be but we’ll engage to address that with Glasgow City Council.

“But I give that commitment at the outlet that I recognise there’s going to have to be additional financial support for Glasgow to recover from that.”

Preliminary multi-agency investigation

Yesterday, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that a preliminary multi-agency investigation was underway to identify the cause of the fire.

A spokesperson said: "We cannot speculate on the cause of the fire at this time. In line with fire investigation protocols, a multi-agency investigation will be conducted, however due to the significant damage that has occurred this may be hampered."

Road Closures

Access to a number of streets across the city. Road closures are in place at the following locations:

• Renfield Street at West George Street

• St Vincent Street at West Nile Street

• West Nile Street southbound from Bath Street

• Still in place at Broomielaw between Oswald Street and Jamaica Street

• Vehicles can go over King George V bridge and turn left onto Broomielaw

• Clyde Street westbound, turn right onto Glasgow Bridge and then back over King George V bridge

Train Travel

Services departing or terminating from Glasgow Central are seriously affected as the station remains closed to the public. A Network Rail statement said that there is “no estimate on when the station will reopen”.

Operators have advised travellers of their options.

Avanti West Coast customer advice:

No trains will run to / from Glasgow Central today.

An amended train service will run to Motherwell, Carlisle and Preston allowing travellers to connect with trains to Edinburgh and local services to the Glasgow area. It is strongly encouraged that you check before you travel.

Caledonian Sleeper customer advice for services on Tuesday evening:

Travelling from Glasgow to London:

The Glasgow - London service will start from Edinburgh. Boarding in Edinburgh will begin at 22:30, and you will travel in your booked accommodation as planned. The train will depart Edinburgh at 23:40.

Travelling from London to Glasgow:

The London - Glasgow service will terminate at Edinburgh. Boarding and departure times are unaffected, and you may remain onboard in Edinburgh until 08:00.

ScotRail customer advice:

The following services will be suspended in both directions:

• Edinburgh to Glasgow via Shotts / Carstairs
• Glasgow Central circular services
• Glasgow Central to Paisley Canal
• Glasgow Central to Newton
• Glasgow Central to Barrhead
• Glasgow Central to Neilston
• Glasgow Central to East Kilbride
• Glasgow Central to Ardrossan South Beach / Ardrossan Harbour

The following service alterations are in place:

• Glasgow Central to Gourock services will be reduced to one train per hour in each direction and revised to start / terminate from Paisley Gilmour Street
• Glasgow Central to Wemyss Bay services will be reduced to one train per hour each direction and will only run between Paisley Gilmour Street and Wemyss Bay in both directions
• Glasgow Central to Largs services will be revised to start / terminate from Kilwinning
• Glasgow Central to Lanark services will be revised to start / terminate from Motherwell
• Glasgow Central to Kilmarnock services will be revised to start / terminate from Barrhead
• One train per hour will operate between Glasgow Central and Ayr and will be revised to start / terminate from Paisley Gilmour Street
• Glasgow Central to Dumfries / Carlisle will be revised to start / terminate from Kilmarnock
• Glasgow Central to Stranraer services will be revised to start / terminate from Kilmarnock
• Glasgow Central low level services will be revised to not call at Glasgow Central

For services that run through the low level, you should use Argyle Street.

Additionally, you can change at Partick and travel to Glasgow Queen Street low level from there.

CrossCountry customer advice:

Your ticket can be used at no extra cost on the following services:

• The two CrossCountry services operating before and after your cancelled service
• ScotRail services between Edinburgh and Glasgow Queen Street
• ScotRail services between Argyle Street and Motherwell

TransPennine Express customer advice:

Services will not operate between Glasgow Central and Liverpool Lime Street / Manchester Airport today. As a result, you are advised not to travel. There are no trains or rail replacement buses running between locations.

Due to train crew displacement, services between Edinburgh and Newcastle / Manchester Airport will be subject to delays and cancellations in both directions.

You are advised to check before you travel on the above routes.

You can use your ticket at no extra cost on the following services:

• Avanti West Coast between Edinburgh and Preston
• Northern between Preston and Liverpool Lime Street / Manchester Airport
• ScotRail services between:Edinburgh and Glasgow Queen StreetArgyle Street and Motherwell
• TransPennine Express services between Edinburgh and Preston / Manchester Airport

Further information from Network Rail can be found on their website.