Trains from Milton Keynes to Scotland remain affected by fire-induced closure of Glasgow Central station

Train services on the West Coast Main Line via Milton Keynes remain affected by the fire-induced closure of Glasgow Central station.

A major fire last Sunday (08/03) broke out at the Union Corner building, located on Union Street and Gordon Street next to Glasgow Central railway station. This triggered a major response from emergency services, with over 250 firefighters at the scene at the peak of the fire and firefighters still present on the scene 3 days later.

Glasgow City Council have confirmed that the building can no longer be salvaged and that the site will be demolished, with demolition beginning yesterday (13/03).

Network Rail have confirmed that the high-level platforms at Glasgow Central are to remain closed until Wednesday 18 March. While the lower-level platforms at the station have re-opened, Network Rail have said road closures set up to allow the demolition work to take places means that engineers cannot yet gain access to the station.

Network Rail also said that a preliminary assessment says that no significant structural issues have been identified at Glasgow Central by the organisation’s specialist teams. Any damage, including to the glazing and water ingress, has been contained to a small office on the Union Street side of the station.

Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland, said: “We understand how disruptive this extended closure is for passengers and the wider city centre, and we’re extremely grateful for the continued patience and understanding people have shown.

“The damage to the building beside the station is clearly significant and any phased reopening will depend on demolition work progressing to a stage that allows our engineers to safely return. We’ll continue working closely with Glasgow City Council to support the response however we can.”

Avanti West Coast, who run Intercity West Coast services from London to Glasgow, have said that their trains will run to Motherwell for connections onwards to Glasgow itself.

The operators have said, “Glasgow Central’s high level platforms (where Avanti West Coast trains run) remain closed with no trains able to run due to the impact of the nearby fire. Until at least the end of Tuesday 17 March, Avanti West Coast trains will start and end at Motherwell, which you can reach using ScotRail services from Glasgow Central low level station (now reopened) or nearby stations.

“The majority of our trains between Scotland and London are able to run normally to/from Motherwell and Edinburgh. Our other routes, such as to Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and North Wales are unaffected by this disruption. We’ll provide more information as soon as we can on the potential reopening of the high level station.”

Avanti confirmed that connections between Glasgow and Motherwell are available with ScotRail. Passengers can use your existing ticket at no extra cost from Glasgow Central low level, or the neighbouring stations of Anderston and Argyle Street, to catch a direct train to Motherwell. From there, Avanti West Coast trains are running to and from London. The company advises people to allow extra time for journies and to check before you travel.