The Glasgow City Region Cabinet has approved plans to create an improved transport interchange at Motherwell railway station.

Funding of £3.5 million is being sought from the Glasgow City Region City Deal to contribute to a wider project that will see it working alongside ScotRail Alliance and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport to create a vibrant, regional transport hub in Motherwell.

ScotRail Alliance has committed funding to upgrade Motherwell Station as part of its franchise commitment to develop large stations in Scotland. Funding from the Scottish Stations Fund will support the wider project. The joint investment will help to transform the station into a modern, accessible, customer-friendly interchange for North Lanarkshire.

The City Region investment will see a high-quality interchange centre developed for bus, train and bike transport in front of the existing railway station, which will coordinate with ScotRail Alliance's investment in the station itself.

This will include:

• An expanded bus facility on Muir Street

• New arrangements for taxis, car drop-offs and disabled parking adjacent to the station

• A reconfigured station forecourt


• Pedestrian and cycle network improvements

• Expansion of the park and ride at Farm Street and additional parking at Pollock Street car park.

Overall, the project aims to make it easier to use public transport and improve links between bus and train services, as well as reducing road congestion. This will provide increased access for local people to jobs, education and training opportunities in Lanarkshire and beyond.

The plans include capacity for potential increased bus services to and from Ravenscraig as this site is developed in future.

Councillor Allan Graham, Convener of the Enterprise and Housing Committee, said: "This is a major development for Motherwell town centre which will improve access to public transport and job opportunities for local people not only in North Lanarkshire but to the rest of central Scotland.

"It also links to our wider City Deal projects which will see the new roads between Cumbernauld, Airdrie, Ravenscraig and the M74 alongside investment at Eurocentral. All these initiatives will bring new business and jobs to the area, opening up links with the rest of the Scotland the UK and giving a huge boost to the local economy.

"Approval of the Motherwell rail station hub project by the Glasgow City Region Cabinet is a significant step forward for the council and our partners in making our plans a reality."

ScotRail Alliance Transport Integration Manager Desmond Bradley also said: "We recognise the need for investment at Motherwell as it's an important rail hub and interchange station.

"This new transport hub opens up a wealth of possibilities for Motherwell, creating more options and better connections for our customers; for business and leisure travel.

"Once complete, the relationship between the station and Motherwell town centre will be completely transformed - all part of our plans to build the best railway Scotland has ever had."

SPT Chief Executive Gordon Maclennan said: "Developing a transport interchange at Motherwell Rail station will increase and improve public transport options and will be a significant contributor to economic development. SPT has worked closely with the local council and ScotRail to progress plans for the interchange which we are delighted to see come to fruition."