Games stations boost in £3m rail windfall
Among the benefits from an overall £3 million investment, will be upgraded help points and customer information screens across 56 stations directly serving the Commonwealth Games.
This new funding is in addition to the £2 million announced by the Scottish Government last year and already being invested by ScotRail to upgrade and enhance railway stations that will serve the Commonwealth Games sporting venues.
With transport networks expected to be busier than ever before, these improvements will give useful advice to passengers and tourists, while making help points more attractive to use.
As well as the improvements delivered in time for the Games, the funding boost will also bring new car park barriers, passenger information screens, ticket machines, ramps and platform extensions at stations throughout the Scottish rail network.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said:
“With Scotland hosting a truly international audience during our Year of Homecoming in 2014, it is only fitting we ensure our transport network is as welcoming as possible.
“Transport Scotland is at the heart of planning, keeping delivery arrangements under review to make sure our rail system makes a full contribution to a successful Homecoming while encouraging visitors to get out and see our wonderful country.
“These improvements, together with the millions already invested in rail infrastructure and ongoing work to provide more rail services and greater capacity during Games time, will support major events in 2014 will leave a lasting, beneficial legacy for the whole nation.
“By making rail travel as trouble free as possible we can encourage greater use of enhanced public transport services and make journey times as reliable as possible.
“Everyone, from businesses and commuters to residents and spectators, can play their part and help make 2014 a real transport success by planning their journeys carefully using all the available travel information tools. I would also encourage as many people as possible to download the free Traveline Scotland app which gives real time information about public transport and road traffic conditions.”
Steve Montgomery, managing director of ScotRail, said:
“The provision of information to customers is always important, but it will be even more vital when we help thousands of fans enjoy the games this summer. This additional funding will ensure that visitors and commuters alike have immediate access to the latest live information.”
Dedicated Games travel information is also provided by Glasgow City Council and Glasgow 2014 at http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/glasgow2014 and @GetReadyGlasgow
ENDS
| Shovel Ready Projects:
| Detail of proposed works | Delivery |
| Car park barriers at Perth, Falkirk High and Stirling | Installation of barriers: Perth (1), Falkirk High (1) and Stirling (2). | October 2014 |
| Replacement/ renewal of Help Points at 56 stations in advance of the Commonwealth Games | Supply and installation at the following stations: Airdrie, Alexandria, Alexandria Parade, Anderston, Anniesland, Argyle Street, Ashfield, Balloch, Barnhill, Bearsden, Bellgrove, Blairhill, Bowling, Bridgeton, Cardross, Carntyne, Charing Cross, Clydebank, Coatbridge Sunnyside, Coatdyke, Craigendoran, Dalmarnock, Dalmuir, Dalreoch, Drumchapel, Drumry, Duke Street, Dumbarton Central, Dumbarton East, Easterhouse, Exhibition Centre, Garrowhill, Garscadden, Gilshochill, Glasgow Central LL, Glasgow Queen Street LL, Helensburgh Central, High Street, Hillfoot, Hyndland, Jordanhill, Kelvindale, Kilpatrick, Maryhill, Milngavie, Partick, Possilpark, Renton, Rutherglen, Scotstounhill, Shettleston, Singer, Springburn, Summerston, Westerton, Yoker | Prior to Commonwealth Games |
| Replacement of Passenger Information Screens at 29 stations | Supply and installation at the following stations: Kingsknowe, Kirknewton, Livingston South, Curriehill, Wester Hailes, Newcraighall, Brunstane, Airdrie, Dalreoch, Girvan, Inverkeithing, Dalgety Bay, Dalmeny, Ardrossan South Beach, Barrhead, Cathcart, Chatelherault, Fauldhouse, Greenock West, Helensburgh Central, Kelvindale, Larkhall, Merryton, West Kilbride, Whifflet, Arbroath, Bridge of Allan, Huntly, Insch | June 2014 |
| New Ticket on Demand machines at key city/ interchange stations (ITSO compliant) & new ticket vending machines | Details to be confirmed soon | March 2015 |
| DDA compliant ramp at Bishopton | Installation of ramp to the rear of platform 2 linking the existing 80 space car park and providing direct access to the platform. Works will include steel staircase, steel plate ramp structure, planting, white lining and associated lighting and CCTV. | March 2015 |
| Platform extensions | To be agreed. | March 2015 |
| Platform shelters | Stations to be agreed | March 2015 |
| Other station enhancement works | Costs to include provision, installation and link of ITSO compliant TVM at Portlethen. Scope to be defined by ScotRail and agreed by Transport Scotland following development of above workstreams. | March 2015 |
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. Transport Scotland is the Scottish Government’s national transport agency responsible for; aviation, bus, freight and taxi policy; coordinating the National Transport Strategy for Scotland; ferries, ports and harbours; impartial travel services; liaising with regional transport partnerships, including monitoring of funding; local roads policy; major public transport projects; national concessionary travel schemes; rail and trunk road networks; sustainable transport, road safety and accessibility; the Blue Badge Scheme. Transport Scotland is an Executive agency accountable to Scottish Ministers. http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/
For further information contact:
Sarah O’Loughlin, 0141 272 7195/07920 477564
News release: TS984SOL