Fiona Hyslop MSP, Minister for Transport, today officially opened the regional transport integration hub at Motherwell railway station.
Ms Hyslop joined Joanne Maguire, ScotRail Chief Operating Officer, Councillor Paul Kelly, Deputy Leader of North Lanarkshire Council, and Valerie Davidson, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport Chief Executive, for the event.
The extensive project – a joint initiative between ScotRail, North Lanarkshire Council, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), and Transport Scotland – has created a fully integrated hub that seamlessly connects multi-modal transport.
This has seen Motherwell railway station undergo redevelopment work, as well as an overhaul of the public realm outside the station building, improving links between bus and train services as well as reducing congestion.
As part of the redevelopment, more than 140 glass panels were fitted to form an eye-catching new roof, which has helped to create a brighter and more modern station.
A new expanded station concourse and enhanced forecourt has been created, including improved ticket retailing facilities and enhanced retail environment with food and drink offering, while customer waiting facilities at platform level have also been refurbished.
North Lanarkshire Council has overhauled the public realm outside the station building, creating a new transport hub with support from the Glasgow City Region City Deal.
This includes an expanded bus facility, new station access road, car drop-off area and blue-badge parking, as well as improved facilities for taxis and pedestrian and cycle access, which has improved links between bus and train services as well as reducing congestion in the town centre.
Funded by Transport Scotland, SPT, and ScotRail, with North Lanarkshire Council and Glasgow City Region City Deal funding delivering the improvements on Muir Street, the project was delivered by Balfour Beatty in phases, with work on the station redevelopment commencing in June 2020, and the transport integration works following in early 2021.
Officials and community leaders welcomed the completion of the project, recognising the positive impact it will have on the region.
Fiona Hyslop MSP, Minister for Transport, said:
“This £20 million Scottish Government investment in Motherwell Station is a great example of how partners can work together to deliver vastly improved transport hubs that truly encourage seamless and integrated end-end journeys.
“Through these improved links we will encourage more people out of their cars onto public transport and active travel means to get to and from Motherwell. This will open-up more opportunities to access educations, business and leisure.
“It is our commitment to transformational projects such as this that will help deliver our ambitious net zero targets.”
Joanne Maguire, ScotRail Chief Operating Officer, said:
“It’s fantastic to see the redevelopment of Motherwell station officially complete and open to the public.
“Our engineers, contractors, project, and station teams have done an excellent job in transforming the station into a contemporary and passenger-friendly space.
“Making rail an attractive option is a key aspect of our recovery from the pandemic, and I believe that the improvements that have been made at Motherwell station will help to encourage more people back to the railway.
“The improved integration of transport services and infrastructure transform the relationship between the station and the town centre.
“It opens up a wealth of possibilities for Motherwell, creating more options and better connections for our customers; for business and leisure travel, and encourages more people to travel in a low-carbon way. It creates a gateway to Glasgow and beyond.”
Councillor Paul Kelly, Deputy Leader of North Lanarkshire Council, said:
“The new transport hub is a key development for Motherwell town centre and surrounding communities, making it easier to travel across North Lanarkshire and beyond for work and leisure.
“It creates strong connections between public transport, walking and cycling and will be the centre of an increasing network of active travel links.
“With £2million of funding from the council and Glasgow City Region City Deal, we have delivered practical improvements which will benefit residents, commuters, businesses and visitors.”
Valerie Davidson, Chief Executive, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, said:
“SPT is delighted to have worked alongside partners to complete the redevelopment of Motherwell station and improvements to the public transport facilities on Muir Street.
“This investment by all partners offers better interchange with bus services and wider improvements in high quality active travel routes connecting Motherwell town centre with the surrounding area.
“These improvements offer better transport options and connections, which will help encourage more people to travel in an environmentally friendly way and provides an attractive alternative to car use.”