Stirling station roof set for £3m refurb investment
Network Rail is to begin work shortly on a 10-month programme to deliver a £3 million investment to refurbish the non-glazed roofs of the grade A listed station in Stirling.
Working between February and December, the project will see the refurbishment of all slate roofs, flat roofs, roof-lights, stone chimneys and parapets and all guttering and drainpipes on both the main station building and platform 3/6 buildings.
This project will safeguard the listed station buildings and will help ensure structural safety for years to come. Making the roof water-tight, and fixing the guttering and drainage, will also help protect the buildings from ongoing deterioration stemming from the ageing roofs.
The work will be undertaken using materials that match the original as closely as practically possible, to deliver a sympathetic and traditional solution in keeping with the station’s grade A listed status.
The work builds upon previous investments in the station which have seen the glazed roof of the station completely overhauled in 2016 and step-free access provided to all platforms via a new footbridge with lifts completed in 2019. This phase of work will bring the total investment in the station to more than £10m
Bruce Crawford, MSP for Stirling, said: “As passengers return to Scotland’s railways, infrastructure investment remains more important than ever. It’s good to see such a commitment made to Stirling station, a well-used and much-admired part of Stirling’s wider transport network. Increased rail travel will play an integral part in efforts to tackle the climate crisis, and improved infrastructure is a positive way to encourage greater use.
“I warmly welcome planned works to protect and enhance the station’s unique character and improve the overall passenger experience of travelling to and from Stirling.”
Richard Kinsella, route asset manager for Network Rail, said: “Stations are at the heart of communities as well as being an important part of the overall experience of travelling on our railway. Their appearance and condition should reflect this important role.
“This latest phase of investment in Stirling station will protect and preserve the building’s unique appearance and character while protecting the station from the vagaries of Scotland’s weather.”
Work to erect scaffolding will begin in early February with all works to be completed in December 2021. The project will be delivered in phases to minimise the impact on the operation of the station. Scaffold encapsulation and hoardings will be in place throughout to physically separate the work from public areas.
There will be no disruption to train services as a result of this work.
The team will work to ensure physical distancing where possible, with protective equipment and methods of working to protect the safety of staff, contractors and those who continue to use the station.