Glasgow Central exit to reopen as demolition work nears end

A section of Glasgow's Central Station is set to open on Sunday as demolition work nears completion on the adjoining fire-ravaged building.

An exit on to Hope Street will reopen, operating as a route out of the station only.

It comes days after low-level entrances and the Hope Street carriage driveway reopened, though the station's main entrances on Gordon Street and Union Street remain shut.

Demolition of the remaining facade of the corner building wrecked by the fire is due to be completed on Friday, Glasgow City Council has confirmed.

The huge blaze engulfed the B-listed Victorian building next to Glasgow Central Station on Sunday 8 March after starting in a vape shop on Union Street.

Only the facade of the building on Gordon Street was left standing, as well as a floating chimney stack which was gradually taken apart last week.

The high-level station partially reopened on Wednesday after a 10-day closure, with one of the main exits set to be accessible from Sunday.

Network Rail route director Ross Moran said the station is operating differently and staff are on site to direct passengers.

"Our retailers have also shown real patience throughout this disruption, and we're working closely with them to help manage their stores as access improves," he said.

"Reopening the Hope Street exit is a positive step forward, but there's still vital work underway."

Council leader Susan Aitken said public safety remained the priority but "we are all acutely aware of how many people, in Glasgow and right across the country, depend on Central Station day-to-day and everyone involved is working towards that goal."

Teams have been operating around the clock to carry out the demolition of the remaining structure as quickly and safely as possible.

The council said crews will be on site from 07:00 to 19:00 from Saturday onwards to remove rubble. The cordon around the site will remain in place.

Demolition of the facade started on Wednesday morning.

During the blaze, flames reached the dome on the corner of the 19th Century building and the front wall collapsed to the ground.

Workers used hand tools to dismantle the remaining facade as use of powered equipment would likely cause an an uncontrolled collapse.

The partial reopening of the station allowed the return of some Scotrail and cross-border train services.

Platforms seven to 15 on the west side of the station are back in use.

Network Rail said commuters can access the station via the low-level entrances on Argyle Street and the Hope Street carriage driveway, which is normally used during special events.

The upper exit on Hope Street is set to reopen from Sunday as an exit only for passengers arriving on platforms seven to 10.

But the main entrance on Gordon Street and Union Street remains closed.

Most of the main concourse will not be accessible and screened off using solid metal sheeting.

Facilities and shops in the station, including the main toilets, are closed.