New £5m station for town

Eric Baxter • Published 25 Jun 2009 14:00

A NEW £5 million railway station is set to be built in Gourock.

Network Rail has submitted plans to Inverclyde Council to replace the town"s dilapidated station with a terminal fit for the 21st century, above.

The announcement comes after years of wrangling over the future of the station.

The plans - which will also see a massive injection of cash for Wemyss Bay Station - have been warmly welcomed.

Gourock councillor Ronnie Ahlfeld said: 'This should be the catalyst for the area"s regeneration.

'An initial plan to move the station is dead because the partners could not reach agreement. We could still have been talking about it 10 years from now. I"m delighted we are now moving forward with these plans.'

Network Rail wants to construct a new station building and train-operating facility, redesign the road layout to improve access to bus and taxi services, and demolish several redundant buildings.

Existing platforms would be renovated and there would be a new platform canopy, a covered walkway to the ferry terminal and the refurbishment of the north wall to include glazed sections offering unobstructed sea views.

Network Rail says the new station will greatly improve passenger facilities and better integrate road, rail and ferry links.

And it says it will also deliver a brighter, more welcoming environment for customers.

Network Rail director Ron McAulay said: 'This is a significant investment in the future of Gourock which will bring real benefits for travellers and enhance the town and its transport facilities.

'In the current economic climate, with many organisations scaling back on investment projects and development plans, Network Rail is committed to continuing to improve the country"s rail network and will be spending nearly £3 billion across Scotland in the next five years.'

Wemyss Bay station is also to get renovation work costing £4m. Platform improvements at Port Glasgow were completed recently.

Inverclyde MP David Cairns said: 'I"m pleased we now have firm proposals for a new railway station interchange facility for Gourock. I welcome this significant capital investment in Inverclyde"s infrastructure.'

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil added: 'I welcome this level of investment in Inverclyde"s railway stations and I"m delighted we are making progress.'

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This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 25 Jun 09

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