A DELAY to the delivery of Barrhead’s new train station has been branded “very disappointing.”
The multi-million pound project, in the Auchenback area, had been scheduled to be up and running by 2021.
However, the Barrhead News can reveal there is still no start date for work on the station – and, when it does get underway, it will take 18 months to complete.
The station, which could attract 500,000 passengers a year, is central to the Barrhead South development – a key project for East Renfrewshire Council’s portion of Glasgow Region City Deal funding.
Councillor Paul Aitken, who represents Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor as an Independent, said: “Given the number of new houses being built in Barrhead, it is very disappointing that we seem to have reached such a paralysis regarding the new railway station.
“Barrhead commuters want the project finished by 2021, as previously promised. I am getting in touch with council management to find out what is causing the delay.”
Despite the delay to the new station, plans are moving forward for 316 homes at nearby Netherton Farm, off Springfield Road.
Homebuilder Taylor Wimpey wants to develop a large site to the west of land targeted for affordable housing and opposite St Luke’s High.
A statement prepared for the housing application last year stated that the new train station “is expected to become operational by 2021.”
Balgraystone Road will be improved as part of the City Deal and a bus interchange will sit with the rail station.
Ross Greer, Green MSP for West Scotland, said: “The new Auchenback station is urgently needed and has been on the cards for many years. To see it now slip from a firm completion date to these vague, open-ended statements isn’t acceptable.”
An East Renfrewshire Council spokesman said: “Significant work is ongoing to move this project forward through the various planning stages and we continue to work closely with partners at Transport Scotland, SPT and Network Rail.
“Given the extremely complex process involved in delivering a new railway station, it is expected that construction will take around 18 months and a start date is still to be confirmed.
“Once complete, the purpose-built rail station and bus interchange will provide improved access to jobs and services for the existing community of Auchenback and new residents from the planned housing developments.”
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