Plans for new £18m train station in Barrhead submitted to East Renfrewshire Council

Plans for a new £18m train station in Barrhead have been submitted to East Renfrewshire Council.

Images show how Network Rail intends to create Balgray station on the Glasgow to Neilston line. Work is expected to start in spring next year and be completed by spring 2026.

The rail company has sent a letter seeking prior approval from East Renfrewshire Council for the construction of a new footbridge with lifts, waiting shelters and car park.

It also notifies the council that a new station, with two platforms and signalling apparatus will be installed.

Network Rail’s letter stated: “The new station aligns with significant residential development in the Barrhead South area and will improve public transport links between Barrhead, the Dams to Darnley Country Park, and Glasgow.

“The station is expected to improve access to employment and services for people living in the area.”

An access road and bus-turning circle have already been completed. The car park will have 80 spaces and eight blue badge spaces.

New footpaths will be provided for pedestrian access to the station. Racks for bike storage, with 20 spaces, will also be installed in the car park.

The station will have two platforms, with prefabricated waiting rooms on both. They will have automatic sliding doors, heating and seating while, on platform one, there will be a ticket vending machine too.

There will be stair access and “a step free route via lifts” to the new footbridge over the line.

In July, a lease was agreed which allowed Network Rail to take over council land on a 175-year deal to provide the parking area at the station.

East Renfrewshire Council is providing £2.6m towards the project while around £15.7m will come from the Glasgow City Region City Deal, an infrastructure programme funded by both the UK and Scottish Government.