New station on the right track

Cumbernauld’s new-look train station was officially opened on Monday following completion of work by Network Rail.
OPENING DAY: MSP Jamie Hepburn cuts the ribbon to open the refurbished Cumbernauld station watched by (from left) George Allan, stations manager; Margaret Hoey, station team manager; Alex Sharkey, Network Rail area director; Natasha Ferguson, management apprentice; and Raymond McLaren,  station customer service.OPENING DAY: MSP Jamie Hepburn cuts the ribbon to open the refurbished Cumbernauld station watched by (from left) George Allan, stations manager; Margaret Hoey, station team manager; Alex Sharkey, Network Rail area director; Natasha Ferguson, management apprentice; and Raymond McLaren,  station customer service.
OPENING DAY: MSP Jamie Hepburn cuts the ribbon to open the refurbished Cumbernauld station watched by (from left) George Allan, stations manager; Margaret Hoey, station team manager; Alex Sharkey, Network Rail area director; Natasha Ferguson, management apprentice; and Raymond McLaren, station customer service.

The circa £1m investment is part of a wider redevelopment of the station which included the removal of the old footbridge and the creation of a new staircase access from the footbridge to the west of the station.

Work also included demolition of the unused portion of the old station building as well as renewal, extension and upgrading of the platforms to support the new electric trains that run on the line following the completion of work to electrify the line in May.

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The project is part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme(EGIP) which will see the largest ever investment in Scotland’s railway infrastructure delivering wholesale electrification across the central belt as well as new and upgraded stations.

Jamie Hepburn MSP, who performed the opening ceremony, said: “It is important that we do not forget the passenger when we are investing to modernise and upgrade our infrastructure as ultimately, the aim has to be to improve the overall experience while travelling by rail.

“While electrification delivers in terms of improving journeys, investing in stations such as here at Cumbernauld improves the environment, facilities and services and has tangible positive benefits for passengers.”

Alex Sharkey, Area Director at Network Rail said, “Our aim was to construct and fit-out the new station building in as short a time and with as minimal disruption to passengers as was possible and credit goes to the EGIP project team who delivered on both counts.

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“Building off-site and delivering the building in modular form entails a shorter construction time meaning passengers are able to enjoy the benefits the new station brings sooner.”

First ScotRail’s George Allan, who manages stations including Cumbernauld, said: “We’re pleased that the work was delivered without disrupting trains, and that any inconvenience to rail users was kept to an absolute minimum.

“The modernisation of the station is particular fitting given the £80million electrification of the Cumbernauld-Glasgow line earlier this year – meaning more modern, regular and reliable trains can be used on the route.”