New Barrhead railway station welcomes first passengers

A new railway station in East Renfrewshire has opened its platforms to passengers.

The £18.3m Balgray station in Barrhead connects people in the town with Glasgow city centre, with the first train arriving about 08:50.

Services will run every 30 minutes between Balgray and Glasgow Central, stopping at the likes of Whitecraigs, Mount Florida and Cathcart.

The station should also make it easier for visitors to reach local attractions, including nearby Dams to Darnley Country Park.

An 80-space car park with electric vehicle charging points has been created alongside the station, while new walking routes link to homes and local paths.

Liam Sumpter, managing director of Network Rail Scotland, said the new station would make "a real difference to everyday life" for locals.

"The community has been at the heart of this project in the lead up to opening day, and we hope Balgray continues to be a valued part of the area for years to come, helping people connect with the places and opportunities that matter most to them," he said.

Joanne Maguire, ScotRail's managing director, said the station will make it easier for people to travel for work and leisure.

"It will play an important part in encouraging more people to choose rail, as an alternative to travelling by car, helping to reduce congestion on our roads," she said.

"Balgray is a great example of how investment in the railway can better connect growing communities and we're proud to be a part of delivering a station what will serve this area for generations to come."

Funding for the station came as part of the Glasgow City Region city deal, with £7.87m each from the UK and Scottish governments and £2.57m from East Renfrewshire Council.

The project was delivered ahead of schedule and within budget.