28.09.18
Aberdeen station gets new glass roof in £9m upgrade
Work to upgrade Aberdeen station as part of a £9m investment to replace the glass roof has begun.
Network Rail says this will make the station brighter, improve drainage and enhance the overall appearance of the station, as well as safeguard the listed station building.
Network Rail project manager Michael McArthur said that investing in Aberdeen’s station will preserve the building’s “unique appearance and character” and “help deliver a brighter more comfortable station environment.”
He said: “Stations are at the heart of communities as well as being an important part of the overall experience of travelling on our railway. Their appearance and condition should reflect this important role.
“Investing in Aberdeen station will protect and preserve the building’s unique appearance and character while at the same time helping deliver a brighter more comfortable station environment.”
“On a practical level, this investment will also make it easier for us to clean and maintain the station in the future and ensure that it remains a welcoming space for our customers joining the rail network.”
The current glass panels are prone to cracking and discolouration and will be replaced by modern light-weight polycarbonate glazing and a new roof access system.
The polycarbonate glazing system is self-cleaning and corrosion resistant and is already used by other stations at Haymarket and Stirling.
All timber and metal work will also be cleaned and painted to further improve the city station’s appearance with all work due to be completed by late 2019.
Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, said: “With major investment and upgrades to the Aberdeen to Inverness rail route and improvements to services from the central belt, our city needs to have a station that is fit for purpose and prepared to cope with growing travel demands.
“I’ve had constituents contact me who are very keen to see upgrades as soon as possible to the roof and sheltered areas, and I will be delighted to confirm to them the work has now started.”
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