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Motherwell town centre and rail station

Frequently asked questions

What is the Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange?

What will the project do?

Public transport facilities will be improved and a high-quality transport hub at Motherwell Rail Station created. ScotRail will deliver improvements to Motherwell Rail Station, with funding support from Transport Scotland, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and the council. We will deliver transport infrastructure improvements on Muir Street. 

The project will:

  • improve with new roof and external finishes of the rail station building
  • improve passenger waiting facilities
  • provide a larger concourse and new ticket and retail facilities
  • the station forecourt will be widened and new cycle storage racks provided

On Muir Street, the bus stop facility will be expanded to provide space for up to four buses and a new bus shelter with Real-Time Passenger information.

A new pedestrian crossing will also be provided, between Muir Street and the station entrance. 

The project provides:

  • A new access road and footway/cycleway to the station is proposed on vacant land between the railway line and Muir Street
  • a new taxi rank
  • replacement disabled parking bays and a drop-off area next to the station forecourt

How will Motherwell benefit? 

Access to public transport services (local, regional and national) will be improved and facilities for passengers using the station and Muir Street bus stop.

It will create a safer, more welcoming environment at the station and on Muir Street for: 

  • rail and bus passengers 
  • town centre users 
  • local residents and visitors

The project will:

  • help transform Motherwell town centre and is part of our vision for the town
  • improve connectivity and create a better impression on arrival into or travelling from Motherwell by public transport
  • encourage businesses and people to locate here and provide an improved environment for existing businesses and residents
  • reduce traffic congestion in Motherwell town centre at Muir Street

How will North Lanarkshire benefit? 

Motherwell Rail Station's role as a transport hub within Lanarkshire and the wider Glasgow City Region will be improved.

It will help link communities in Motherwell and North Lanarkshire better to employment, training and education opportunities across the region and attract investment to the area. 

How will the work be funded? 

In total, £16.5 million will be invested in Motherwell Rail Station and Muir Street.  

Transport Scotland, ScotRail and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport are funding the improvements to the rail station. 

The work at Muir Street will be funded by the Glasgow City Region City Deal. This is a regional infrastructure investment programme, funded by the UK and Scottish Governments.

We are a member authority of the City Deal. Further information is available on the Glasgow City Region City Deal website.

Could the funding be spent on something else? 

The funding is a mix of partnership funding and external grant funding from the Glasgow City Region City Deal. The funding cannot be spent on other projects or services provided by the council.

Where can I see the proposals? 

Public consultation on the draft proposals for Muir Street was held in June 2018. Feedback from this consultation has informed the final proposals. The latest proposals for Muir Street can also be viewed on our online Planning Information service using the application reference 20/00345/FUL. 

How can I keep informed of updates? 

You can also sign up for email alerts and stay in touch with the latest news about the Motherwell Town Centre Transport Interchange.

What approvals are needed?

Do the works need planning permission? 

Planning permission for change of use for the Muir Street proposals is needed. Planning permission was needed for the work at Motherwell Rail Station.

Planning permission for the Muir Street proposals has been granted. The plans can be viewed via our online Planning Information service using the application reference 20/00345/FUL

When will a planning application be submitted? 

A planning application for the proposals at Muir Street has been submitted.

The plans can be viewed via our online Planning Information service using the application reference 20/00345/FUL. 

Neighbours within 20 metres of the application boundary received a neighbour notification of the planning application. Known landowners were also notified and an advertisement was placed in the local press. 

What other approvals are needed? 

  • A Full Business Case has been approved by the Glasgow City Region City Deal to secure the funding.
  • A Traffic Regulation Order will also be needed for the proposed changes to Muir Street.

What is the timescale for the work being done?

When will the work start? 

The work at Motherwell Rail Station started on 29 June 2020.  

The work at Muir Street will start in January 2022

When will the work be completed?

It is expected that the work at both Motherwell Rail Station and Muir Street will be completed by July 2022.

How will the work affect access to the station?

Will the station stay open during the works? 

The station will be open during the work as normal. 

Pedestrian access to the station will be available throughout the construction work. The station contractor will put in place designated pedestrian routes during each stage of the works. These will be clearly signed.  

Where can I get information during the works? 

Regular progress updates will be available via the ScotRail Motherwell Station improvement website and their social media channels as well as on our website.

How will the work affect access on Muir Street?

How will the Muir Street bus stop be affected? 

The bus stop on Muir Street will need to be relocated temporarily during the works. We will work with ScotRail and SPT to make sure disruption to bus passengers and bus services is minimised as far as possible. Details of temporary bus stop locations will be provided on our project website and on-site as soon as they are available. 

How will the taxi rank, drop-off space and disabled parking be affected?

The taxi rank and drop off space at the station will be unavailable for the duration of the works.  Once the works are completed, a new eight-bay taxi rank will be available on the new station access roadway. Three disabled parking spaces and a drop-off zone will be available close to the station entrance, alongside the widened station forecourt

The taxi rank on Muir Street will be available for use during the station works. Temporary taxi rank arrangements will then be put in place during the works on Muir Street. Details of these temporary arrangements will be provided as soon as available. 

Disabled parking spaces are available within the Hope Street car park, next to the GLO Centre, until the new permanent disabled parking spaces at the station are in place

Will there be any road closures? 

Most of the works can be carried out without any need to close the road at Muir Street. The road will however need to be closed to carry out some works on Muir Street safely. This will be for a short time only. Further details on the timing and duration of any road closures will be provided as soon as available. Local businesses will also be consulted.

How will the environment be affected?

Will air quality in Motherwell town centre be improved? 

Air quality will be improved in the Motherwell Town Centre Air Quality Management Area, by reducing traffic congestion on Muir Street. It will also help to encourage people to use public transport and active travel more for journeys, therefore, reducing traffic going through the town centre.  

Will carbon emissions be reduced? 

Traffic congestion will be reduced in the town centre at Muir Street. This will reduce road traffic emissions from slow-moving and queuing traffic. Public transport quality and accessibility will also be improved, which will help to encourage more people to use sustainable transport options. It will create a transport hub at Motherwell Rail Station, improving public transport links across the Glasgow City Region.

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Page last updated:
16 Nov 2021

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