Glasgow Central Station to Partially Reopen After Devastating Fire
Glasgow Central railway station is set to partially reopen on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, following a destructive fire that ravaged a neighbouring building. The main section of Scotland's busiest station has been closed since Sunday, March 8, when flames tore through the Union Corner building, forcing an immediate shutdown for safety reasons.
Ongoing Demolition and Limited Access
With demolition work continuing on the fire-damaged Victorian structure, much of Glasgow Central will remain closed. The area near the Gordon Street entrance will be cordoned off, and the Union Street and Hope Street entrances will also stay shut. Access to the station will be available via the low level entrances and the Hope Street carriage driveway.
Network Rail has warned that these changes will result in reduced capacity, and passengers are strongly advised to check their journeys before travelling. The station will "look different" according to officials, with staff on hand to provide guidance and assistance during the transition period.
Safety First Approach
Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland, expressed gratitude for the patience shown by passengers, businesses, and the community. "This has been an exceptionally challenging situation for everyone affected," Moran stated. "I want to thank all those involved who have worked tirelessly to get us to the point where we can safely welcome people back to the station."
He added that while temporary arrangements will remain in place for some time, the focus remains on keeping customers moving safely as services gradually return. Network Rail continues to work closely with all operators and partners to restore full access as soon as it is safe to do so.
Demolition for Public Safety
Glasgow City Council emphasized that demolishing what remains of the "very unstable" Victorian building is essential for public safety. The fire, which began in a vape shop on Union Street, spread through the building and around the corner, leaving only the facade at the junction with Gordon Street standing.
Demolition experts have been working methodically to safely bring down parts of the remaining structure. Services in the lower level of the station resumed operation on Wednesday last week, following stringent safety checks.
ScotRail's Response and Service Restoration
David Ross, ScotRail chief operating officer, welcomed the partial reopening. "I am very pleased we will be able to welcome customers back to Glasgow Central high level following the partial reopening of the station from Wednesday," he said.
Ross acknowledged the significant disruption caused by the closure and apologized for the ongoing impact on journeys. "Resuming services on more than half the high level platforms in the station is a big step forward and will ensure as many people as possible can travel into Glasgow city centre," he explained.
The safety of customers and staff remains ScotRail's absolute priority. With limited platforms and access points available, the company will operate as many services as possible and keep the timetable under regular review, adding more services when safe to do so.
