Hope Street exit reopens amid ongoing disruption at Glasgow Central

Passengers using Glasgow Central will regain access to part of the station this weekend, as Network Rail confirms the reopening of the upper Hope Street exit following disruption caused by a major fire earlier this month.

From Sunday 22 March, the exit will once again be available, offering an additional route out of the station as recovery work continues. The station has been operating under temporary arrangements since the fire on Union Street on Sunday 8 March, which led to significant structural damage to a neighbouring building and forced the creation of an exclusion zone across sections of the concourse.

That safety zone resulted in the closure of key entry and exit points, significantly altering how passengers move through the station. With demolition work ongoing outside, the reopening of the Hope Street route marks a step towards restoring more normal access, although it will initially operate as exit-only.

Passengers arriving on platforms 7 to 10 will be directed by staff along a controlled walkway running alongside the exclusion zone, ensuring they can leave the station safely via Hope Street. Meanwhile, the low-level station and the Hope Street driveway remain open as before.

However, significant restrictions are still in place. Entrances via Gordon Street and Union Street remain shut, and train services continue to operate only from platforms 7 to 15, with platforms 1 to 6 still out of use.

Retailers have also been affected by the disruption. Businesses located outside the restricted area have been supported in accessing their units for essential tasks such as cleaning and stock management, while those within the exclusion zone are continuing to receive updates as plans for the next phase of recovery are developed.

Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail, said:

“The station has been operating very differently this week, and I want to thank everyone for the patience and understanding they’ve shown. Railway staff have been working hard to guide people safely through the temporary arrangements, and passengers have been incredibly cooperative. 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. We continue to work closely with the Council and train operators as we deal with the aftermath of this incident. Reopening the Hope Street exit is a positive step forward, but there’s still vital work underway. We’re asking passengers to keep bearing with us while these safety measures are in place.”

Council leader Susan Aitken added:

“I’m really grateful to the council teams and contractors who have worked around the clock with colleagues at Network Rail to make this possible. Public safety must remain our first 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.”

Image: Network Rail