THE regional transport integration hub at Motherwell train station has been officially opened. 

A joint initiative between ScotRail, North Lanarkshire Council, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and Transport Scotland, the extensive project has created a fully integrated hub that connects multi-modal transports. 

This has seen Motherwell station undergo redevelopment work, as well as an overhaul of the public realm outside the station which includes an expanded bus facility, new station access road, car drop-of area, blue badge parking and improved facilities for taxis, pedestrian and cycle access which has improved links between bus and train services as well as reducing congestion in the town centre. 

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Glasgow Times:

The station concourse has been expanded and an enhanced forecourt has been created which includes an improved food and drink offering and ticket retailing facilities. 

For the official opening event Fiona Hyslop MSP, Minister for Transport, joined Joanne Macguire, ScotRail chief operation officer, councillor Paul Kelly, deputy leader of North Lanarkshire Council, and Valerie Davidson, SPT chief executive.

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Fiona Hyslop MSP said: "This £20 million Scottish Government investment in Motherwell station is a great example of how partners can work together to deliver vastly improved transport hubs that truly encourage seamless and integrated end-end journeys. 

"Through these improved links we will encourage more people out of their cars onto public transport and active travel means to get to and from Motherwell.

"This will open up more opportunities to access education, business and leisure. 

"It is our commitment to transformational projects such as this that will help deliver our ambitious net-zero targets." 

Glasgow Times:

Joanne Maguire said: "It’s fantastic to see the redevelopment of Motherwell station officially complete and open to the public.  

"Our engineers, contractors, project, and station teams have done an excellent job in transforming the station into a contemporary and passenger-friendly space. 

"Making rail an attractive option is a key aspect of our recovery from the pandemic, and I believe that the improvements that have been made at Motherwell station will help to encourage more people back to the railway. 

"The improved integration of transport services and infrastructure transform the relationship between the station and the town centre. 

"It opens up a wealth of possibilities for Motherwell, creating more options and better connections for our customers; for business and leisure travel, and encourages more people to travel in a low-carbon way.

"It creates a gateway to Glasgow and beyond."

Work on the station redevelopment began in June 2020 with the transport integration works following in early 2021.