Date: 05/03/2012

NINE Glasgow train stations have been saved from closure after Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown finally gave an absolute assurance today that none will shut. Mr Brown visited stations in the city today, where he confirmed all those named as being at risk would remain open. The news means tens of thousands of passengers will have their local station protected, following an Evening Times-led campaign against the potential closures. Transport Scotland officials had included an option in a consultation on the future of railways in Scotland that, if accepted by the Scottish Government, would have seen stations within a mile of another similar station shut. The Evening Times launched the Save Our Stations campaign after we revealed a document said there was 11 in the Greater Glasgow area, including nine in the city that, if closed, would save £208,000 a year. I am delighted to confirm no stations in Glasgow will be closing We are looking at ways to support the development of new stations Glasgow stations on the list that are now saved are: Ashfield, Barnhill, Duke Street, Gilshochill, Kelvindale, Kennishead Maryhill, Mosspark and Nitshill. Also saved are Paisley St James, Airbles, near Motherwell, Ardrossan Town and two in the far north. Mr Brown has now finally ruled out any closures as a result of the Rail 2014 consultation. His promise came after our campaign was backed by a wide range of people of all political parties.

Related images

Eastbound DMU for Queen Street at Ashfield in 2006.
Location: Ashfield
Company: Glasgow, Dumbarton and Helensburgh Railway
28/10/2006 Ewan Crawford

View north east from Kennishead station footbridge on 17 June 2007.
Location: Kennishead
Company: Glasgow, Barrhead and Neilston Direct Railway
17/06/2007 John Furnevel

Ardrossan Town station, photographed from the Castle Hill on 14 June 2010 with 334 039 about to leave on the short (but slow) hop to Ardrossan Harbour.  Road traffic on Princes Street has already been stopped. This was once a more substantial station with two through lines and two bays and a street-fronting building to the right.  Remains of the original structure were still obvious when the station reopened in 1987 as a single platform, but all has now gone. Happily though the platform is being extended at the eastern end (off camera).
Location: Ardrossan Town
Company: Ardrossan Railway
14/06/2010 David Panton