City fire affects region’s travellers

TRAINS from Dumfries, Annan Stranraer and Lockerbie to Glasgow Central continue to be disrupted after Sunday’s devastating fire. In the aftermath of the blaze trains from Dumfries to Glasgow were cancelled all day Monday and Tuesday. Following assessments by Scottish Fire and Rescue, ScotRail announced on Wednesday that services which operate via Glasgow Central Low Level will be calling at the station. However the high level station remains closed and, as a result, trains heading north from Dumfries Annan and Stranraer will only travel as far as Kilmarnock. David Ross, ScotRail’s chief operating officer, said: “Glasgow Central High Level station will not reopen this week as the impact of the fire in the building next to the station continues to be assessed by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Glasgow City Council. “We know this closure is causing significant disruption for our customers, and we’re very sorry for the impact it is having on journeys. “Our teams are working hard to keep people moving where possible, and we’d encourage customers to check their journey before travelling using the ScotRail app or website.” Meanwhile in Lockerbie Avanti West Coast trains heading north from Lockerbie will only travel as far as Motherwell.

Updating passengers earlier this week, a spokesperson for Avanti West Coast said: “The majority of Avanti West Coast trains to/from Glasgow Central will start and end at Motherwell, with no trains able to run to/from Glasgow Central while the station is closed. We’ll provide more information as soon as we can.

“The majority of our trains between Scotland and London can run normally to/from Motherwell and Edinburgh. Our other routes, such as to Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and North Wales are unaffected by this disruption.”

Similar disruption has also affected TransPennine Express services with ongoing cancellations. They said: “TransPennine Express will not be operating between Carlisle and Glasgow Central in both directions whilst Glasgow Central high level station is closed.

“Most Glasgow Central to Manchester Airport and Liverpool Lime Street services will either terminate or start at Carlisle. Please check your journey before you travel.

“TransPennine Express advise that you check your journey before you travel on the following routes until further notice, as short notice delays and cancellations are expected.”