The construction of Scotland’s new Balgray Station has generated more than £1.6m of spending with businesses in the Glasgow city region while providing hundreds of young people with exposure to railway careers, Network Rail has revealed ahead of the station’s opening.
Balgray will welcome its first passengers on 27 September, providing a new rail connection for the Barrhead area and improving access towards Glasgow.
Alongside delivery of the station itself, Network Rail and contractor Story Contracting have used the project to support local SMEs, skills development and community initiatives, with more than 350 young people taking part in careers and employability activities and more than 400 hours of volunteering delivered.
The station is being delivered through the Glasgow City Region City Deal, funded by the UK and Scottish governments and East Renfrewshire Council, with Network Rail working alongside the council, Transport Scotland, ScotRail and Story Contracting.
£1.6m spent with local businesses
Around 10% of subcontract expenditure on the project has been awarded to SMEs in the area, with more than £1.6m spent with local companies.
Businesses benefiting include East Renfrewshire-based Akela Construction, Lanarkshire Welding and Alter Fencing.
A further £749,000 has been invested through supply chain partner Kelly Group.
For the rail supply chain, the figures demonstrate how relatively localised infrastructure schemes can be used to create economic benefits beyond the direct construction of the asset, particularly where procurement opportunities can be opened to smaller businesses operating close to the project.
East Renfrewshire Council Leader Owen O’Donnell said: “I’m delighted that the impact of the City Deal funded Balgray station project has extended far beyond improving public transport, leaving a lasting legacy for communities across East Renfrewshire.
“We’re committed to ensuring that our local communities benefit from large contracts. It’s been great to see Network Rail and Story Contracting sharing this ethos and delivering meaningful and impactful initiatives for our young people, businesses, community groups, local causes and schools.”
Project used to introduce young people to rail careers
Skills and employment have formed another significant part of the project’s social value programme.
More than 350 young people have participated in activities connected with Balgray, ranging from a railway industry taster day for pupils at Barrhead High School and St Luke’s High School to STEM activities with younger children.
Pupils at St Mark’s and Hillview primary schools were given opportunities to design their own stations and construct model bridges, introducing engineering and railway concepts at an early age.
The project has also provided more direct routes into industry experience.
Graduate apprentice Karan Raj joined through Story Contracting’s early careers programme, while engineering student Kieran Mooney completed more than 580 hours of practical learning on site.
Local resident Brandon Wotherspoon secured permanent employment after completing a year-long programme through the QTS Rail Skills Academy.
Ashley McDonald, Scheme Project Manager at Network Rail Scotland, said: “As well as building a new station, we’ve built strong connections with the local community, and that’s been one of the most rewarding parts of the project. Seeing young people take their first steps towards a career in rail has been particularly inspiring, and it’s something I’m incredibly proud to have been part of.
“Balgray Station will improve journeys for local people, but the opportunities created through the project are just as important. I hope the skills, experiences and relationships developed along the way will continue to benefit the community for many years to come.”
400 hours contributed to community projects
The programme has also extended into volunteering and support for community organisations.
More than 400 volunteer hours have been contributed to local initiatives, including work at Hillview Primary School to improve outdoor learning facilities with new play and planting areas.
Project volunteers also supported a family fun day attended by more than 200 children.
Financial support has been provided to organisations including Auchenback Resource Centre, The Foundry Community Hub and Include Me 2 Club, which works with children with learning disabilities.
A further initiative will see two local schools receive 44 bicycles alongside helmets, high-visibility clothing and cycle safety equipment, encouraging active travel alongside the new public transport connection.
David Fenwick, Project Manager at Story Contracting, said: “While Balgray Station will transform connectivity for local communities, we are equally proud of the positive impact created throughout its construction.
“From inspiring young people through STEM and employability initiatives to supporting local businesses, sustainability projects and community groups, our team has worked hard to ensure the benefits of the project extend far beyond the railway.”
Demonstrating the wider value of station investment
The work at Balgray highlights an increasingly important consideration for rail infrastructure procurement: how the expenditure and activity generated during construction can leave benefits behind once contractors have left site.
New stations are primarily justified through the connectivity they provide, but construction programmes also create opportunities to develop skills, provide routes into employment and direct expenditure towards regional supply chains.
At Balgray, that has ranged from primary-school engagement to hundreds of hours of real-world engineering experience and, in at least one case, a route into permanent employment.
With the station itself due to open on 27 September, attention will shortly turn to how passengers use the new connection. But the £1.6m directed towards local businesses, involvement of more than 350 young people and community initiatives delivered during construction mean part of the project’s impact has already been realised before the first passenger train calls.
