Work begins on Aberdeen glass roof

28th September 2018

As the result of a £9m investment, work has now begun on a 12-month programme to completely replace the glass roof at Aberdeen station.

As the existing panels have been problematic due to cracking and discolouration, they will be replaced with modern light-weight polycarbonate glazing along with an all new roof access system to aid with future maintenance. Due to no easy method of access, a lack of maintenance had led to deterioration of the historic Grade A-listed structure including from corrosion, damp, dirt, vegetation and pigeon guano.

The new system, similar to those already in place at Haymarket and Stirling, is self-cleaning and delivers a much more modern and innovative solution. As well as the improvement itself, the station will be lighter, brighter and due to making it water tight and improving drainage and guttering, it will be a much more pleasant place to be even in the worst of weather.

Michael McArthur, Network Rail project manager, said, “Stations are at the heart of communities as well as being an important partof 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.”

Kevin Stewart, MSP for Aberdeen Central, said: “These works are a welcome improvement for the station which a lot of commuters and passengers will benefit from. 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.”

The work is expected to be completed by late 2019 and there will be no disruption to train services during the process.

Author: Darren Porter
Image: Network Rail