Latest news with #OwenO'Donnell
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Major update on new £18m train station near Glasgow
The new stop will be a great addition for residents and for visitors to the area FULL STEAM AHEAD Major update on new £18m train station near Glasgow Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WORK has officially started on a brand new £18.3 million train station. The new rail link at Balgray will serve Barrhead, on the south-west edge of Glasgow, and its growing communities. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The new station near Barrhead will be on the line from Glasgow Central It will make it easier for people to travel to and from the city for work, education and leisure, while also improving access to local destinations and attractions. Once complete, the station will feature two platforms connected by a footbridge with lifts, along with waiting shelters, ticket machines and secure cycle storage. Margaret Gibb, commercial director at Network Rail Scotland, said: 'Breaking ground at Balgray is a major step forward in improving transport for the Barrhead area. 'The new station will make it easier for people to travel to and from Glasgow, and for locals and visitors to connect with places like Dams to Darnley Country Park. 'It's exciting to see work begin on a project that also supports active travel, encouraging more walking and cycling too. 'We're proud to be part of a partnership delivering real change and long-term benefits for people in Barrhead and the surrounding area.' An 80-space car park at the station will include electric vehicle charging points, with new walkways linking the platforms directly to nearby housing developments and reservoir paths. A new bus turning circle and stop have already been delivered on Springfield Road by East Renfrewshire Council (ERC). The Balgray Station project, which is part of the wider Glasgow City Region City Deal, is being delivered by Network Rail in partnership with ERC, Transport Scotland, ScotRail and Story Contracting. Preparatory work and planning for the station began in October 2023, with the final proposal approved by the Glasgow City Region City Deal panel in September 2024. Laughing gas 'epidemic' sweeping party island with tourists left foaming at mouth, having seizures & permanently scarred Construction will continue into next year, with the station expected to open to passengers in Autumn 2026. Councillor Owen O'Donnell, leader of East Renfrewshire Council, said: 'I'm delighted to see work start on the new Balgray station which will greatly improve transport links between Barrhead and other parts of East Renfrewshire with stations on the Neilston line - Williamwood, Whitecraigs and Patterton. 'Like many of our communities, Barrhead is growing, and this new station will also provide another route from the town into Glasgow. 'We're proud to be working with our partners on delivering this new station which is one of our biggest City Deal projects.'
Glasgow Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
New £18.3m station near Glasgow takes huge step forward
The new rail link at Balgray will serve Barrhead and its growing communities. It will make it easier for people to travel to and from Glasgow for work, education and leisure, while also improving access to local destinations like Dams to Darnley Country Park. Once complete, the station will feature two platforms connected by a footbridge with lifts, along with waiting shelters, ticket machines and secure cycle storage. Breaking ground on Balgray Station (Image: Supplied) Margaret Gibb, commercial director at Network Rail Scotland, said: 'Breaking ground at Balgray is a major step forward in improving transport for the [[Barrhead]] area. 'The new station will make it easier for people to travel to and from Glasgow, and for locals and visitors to connect with places like Dams to Darnley Country Park. 'It's exciting to see work begin on a project that also supports active travel, encouraging more walking and cycling too. 'We're proud to be part of a partnership delivering real change and long-term benefits for people in Barrhead and the surrounding area.' An 80-space car park at the station will include electric vehicle charging points, with new walkways linking the platforms directly to nearby housing developments and reservoir paths. A new bus turning circle and stop have already been delivered on Springfield Road by East Renfrewshire Council (ERC). READ NEXT: Family from near Glasgow gears up for Christmas in July The Balgray Station project, which is part of the wider Glasgow City Region City Deal, is being delivered by [[Network Rail]] in partnership with ERC, Transport Scotland, ScotRail and Story Contracting. Preparatory work and planning for the station began in October 2023, with the final proposal approved by the Glasgow City Region City Deal panel in September 2024. Construction will continue into next year, with the station expected to open to passengers in Autumn 2026. Councillor Owen O'Donnell, leader of East Renfrewshire Council, said: 'I'm delighted to see work start on the new Balgray station which will greatly improve transport links between Barrhead and other parts of East Renfrewshire with stations on the Neilston line - Williamwood, Whitecraigs and Patterton. 'Like many of our communities, Barrhead is growing, and this new station will also provide another route from the town into Glasgow. "We're proud to be working with our partners on delivering this new station which is one of our biggest City Deal projects.'
The Herald Scotland
22-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Ground broken on new £18m railway station in Scotland
The station will make it easier for people to travel to and from Glasgow for work, education and leisure, while also improving access to local destinations like the Dams to Darnley Country Park. Once complete, Balgray station will feature two platforms connected by a footbridge with lifts, along with waiting shelters, ticket machines and secure cycle storage. The project is part of the wider Glasgow City Region City Deal, which is focused on improving transport links, supporting economic growth and encouraging more sustainable development. It is being delivered by Network Rail in partnership with East [[Renfrew]]shire Council, Transport Scotland, ScotRail and Story Contracting. READ MORE: Scottish Government intervene in Glasgow O2 ABC site plans 'Another significant step forward' for city centre transformation Margaret Gibb, commercial director at Network Rail Scotland, said: 'Breaking ground at Balgray is a major step forward in improving transport for the Barrhead area. The new station will make it easier for people to travel to and from Glasgow, and for locals and visitors to connect with places like Dams to Darnley Country Park. 'It's exciting to see work begin on a project that also supports active travel, encouraging more walking and cycling too. We're proud to be part of a partnership delivering real change and long-term benefits for people in Barrhead and the surrounding area.' An 80-space car park at the station will include electric vehicle charging points, with new walkways linking the platforms directly to nearby housing developments and reservoir paths. Artist's impression of the new Balgray station in Barrhead (Image: Network Rail Scotland) A new bus turning circle and stop have already been delivered on Springfield Road by East Renfrewshire Council. This aims to strengthen the town's travel network, making it easier for people to switch between walking, cycling, bus and rail. Councillor Owen O'Donnell, leader of East Renfrewshire Council, said: 'I'm delighted to see work start on the new Balgray station which will greatly improve transport links between Barrhead and other parts of East Renfrewshire with stations on the Neilston line - Williamwood, Whitecraigs and Patterton. 'Like many of our communities, Barrhead is growing, and this new station will also provide another route from the town into Glasgow. We're proud to be working with our partners on delivering this new station which is one of our biggest City Deal projects.' Preparatory work and planning for the station began in October 2023, with the final proposal approved by the Glasgow City Region City Deal panel in September 2024. Construction will continue into next year, with the station expected to open to passengers in Autumn 2026.
The Herald Scotland
04-06-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Tributes after long-serving councillor dies aged 79
Books of condolence have been set up at the council offices in Barrhead Main Street and at Eastwood HQ for members of the public to pay their respects. Betty was first elected in 1999 and was Provost of East Renfrewshire Council from 2003 to 2007. She received an OBE from the Queen in the New Year's Honours List of 2011 for services to East Renfrewshire and Malawi. She had first travelled to the African country in 2007 and set up a charity - the Betty Cunningham International Trust - which built a health clinic and nursery schools. READ MORE: Council Leader Owen O'Donnell, who signed the book of condolence at the Council's Eastwood HQ, said: "Betty's passing has left me with a great sense of grief and sorrow which will be shared by the wider Labour family, council staff and colleagues, the many lives she touched in Barrhead and East Renfrewshire and much further afield in her beloved Malawi. This all still feels so raw and a time of personal grieving. We will have time in the days and weeks ahead to more fully celebrate her life together. "Social justice and the sense of what is right and wrong was ingrained in Betty's DNA. She was a ferocious fighter for the people of Barrhead and beyond and would leave then Prime Minister Tony Blair and First Minister Jack McConnell trembling in her wake! She had the biggest heart but was also great fun and someone you wanted to spend time with. "Betty was no prouder than when she received the Lifetime Legend award at the LGIU awards last year. This was a fitting award and well-deserved tribute to mark her career. "My thoughts and prayers remain with her family at this time who graciously welcomed me into their home so I could say my final goodbyes in the hours before Betty passed away. Betty will remain an inspiration for us all." Steven Quinn, Chief Executive of East Renfrewshire Council, said: "As a new chief executive spending time with Betty as she took me around Barrhead (or Borrheid as I was often corrected), it was incredible to witness at first hand her passion and dedication for her community and the work she had done to support so many people. Betty was always thinking of others and took a special interest in helping people who were facing challenges in their lives. "It was a privilege to get to know and work with Betty. Her death is a massive loss to her community and to East Renfrewshire Council. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time."
Glasgow Times
03-06-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Tributes for East Renfrewshire councillor Betty Cunningham
She had served her constituents in Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor for 26 years and her dedication to the area was recognised last year when she received a Lifetime Legend award at the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and CCLA annual councillor awards. Books of Condolence have been set up at the council offices in Barrhead Main Street and at Eastwood HQ for members of the public to pay their respects. Betty was first elected in 1999 and was Provost of East Renfrewshire Council from 2003 to 2007. She received an OBE from the Queen in the New Year's Honours List of 2011 for services to East Renfrewshire and Malawi. She had first travelled to the African country in 2007 and set up a charity – the Betty Cunningham International Trust – which built a health clinic and nursery schools. Council leader Owen O'Donnell, who signed the Book of Condolence at the Council's Eastwood HQ, said: "Betty's passing has left me with a great sense of grief and sorrow which will be shared by the wider Labour family, council staff and colleagues, the many lives she touched in Barrhead and East Renfrewshire and much further afield in her beloved Malawi. "This all still feels so raw and a time of personal grieving. We will have time in the days and weeks ahead to more fully celebrate her life together. Social justice and the sense of what is right and wrong was ingrained in Betty's DNA. "She was a ferocious fighter for the people of Barrhead and beyond and would leave then Prime Minister Tony Blair and First Minister Jack McConnell trembling in her wake! "She had the biggest heart but was also great fun and someone you wanted to spend time with. "Betty was no prouder than when she received the Lifetime Legend award at the LGIU awards last year. "This was a fitting award and well-deserved tribute to mark her career. READ MORE: Send us photos of your May newborn to appear in Barrhead News "My thoughts and prayers remain with her family at this time who graciously welcomed me into their home so I could say my final goodbyes in the hours before Betty passed away. "Betty will remain an inspiration for us all." Provost Mary Montague, who signed the Book of Condolence in Barrhead, added: "Betty's death is a sad loss to her family, colleagues, staff, and many people locally and far and wide. Strong in character and often in her language, she was formidable in fighting for the best interests of Barrhead and East Renfrewshire. "She was a determined champion for a just cause and, for anyone who found themselves in a difficult situation and asked Betty for help, they got it. "Betty was a paradox of fiercely not pulling her punches when necessary to a woman of incredible empathy, compassion and love for fellow human beings. "She was particularly supportive to my family at the time of a close family bereavement and a fundraiser for defibrillators was on her very full agenda of benevolence. "She is well known for her many achievements for good causes like Malawi, but many will carry with them the memory of her quiet, loving, personal support. "My condolences and my heart go out to Betty's family whom she loved with a passion and I hope they see from the hundreds of lovely messages on social media, just how much Betty was appreciated and the extent of her legacy of public service." Steven Quinn, chief executive of East Renfrewshire Council, said: "As a new chief executive spending time with Betty as she took me around Barrhead (or Borrheid as I was often corrected), it was incredible to witness at first hand her passion and dedication for her community and the work she had done to support so many people. "Betty was always thinking of others and took a special interest in helping people who were facing challenges in their lives. It was a privilege to get to know and work with Betty. "Her death is a massive loss to her community and to East Renfrewshire Council. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time." There were also tributes to Betty from across the political spectrum. (Image: Paul O'Kane) Local MSP Paul O'Kane said: "Betty Wood-Cunningham OBE was Barrhead through and through. "She loved the bones and the stones of this place, and she was immensely proud to represent it on the council for over two decades. "She worked day in and day out for local people and was always to be found on her mobile phone sorting out a constituent's problem (often with quite a few expletives thrown into the conversation). "As Provost, she represented East Renfrewshire across the country and worked hard to make everyone feel like they were a VIP when the Provost came to officiate at an event. This often included a run in the 'Provost's motor'. "She raised thousands of pounds for charities from supporting talented young musicians locally to local churches, hospices and of course her beloved Malawi. "She was fiercely political and fiercely Labour - standing up for working people was in her DNA. "On a personal level, she was my political mammy and a dear friend. For all the times she chided me or we had our disagreements, there were countless more examples of her kindness and generosity to me and my family. READ MORE: East Renfrewshire ranked best in Scotland for 19 different council services "She was one of a kind - from the foot of the town to receiving her OBE from the late Queen at the Palace she was always Betty. "I will miss her terribly. May she rest in peace." Councillor Gordon Wallace, leader of the Conservative group on East Renfrewshire Council, said: "I was greatly saddened to learn of Betty's death. She will be greatly missed, not least by the people of Barrhead for whom she so tirelessly and passionately represented for over 25 years." And SNP group leader, Councillor Tony Buchanan, added: "Betty was a stalwart in her community and a fearless fighter on behalf of that community. "She was feisty and would not tolerate anyone who would decry her beloved Barrhead. "She was also a great believer in equity at both home and abroad, the latter through the work of her Malawi charity. "Betty stood up for people who needed support, gave them a voice and made sure the council delivered for them."
