Great Western Road was temporarily reduced to one westbound lane at Anniesland Cross to accommodate the three cranes needed to lift the steelwork safely.
Fabricated at M&S Engineering in Dumfries and Galloway, the towers stand 12 metres tall, with steel walkways connecting the upper towers to the existing station platforms. This will make it easier for those with mobility difficulties, and people travelling with bicycles, pushchairs or heavy luggage to use the station.
The towers arrived on lorries and were lifted upright and prepared on the road, before being craned into place in the early hours of the morning.
With both lift towers installed in one overnight shift, the road did not need to be closed for any subsequent nights. The footpath underneath the railway bridge, parking bays, and the inside eastbound lane of Great Western Road will remain closed for the duration of the project, which will be completed later this year.
Following installation of the towers, the electrical components to power the lifts will be put in place and the brickwork cladding reinstated at the base of each lift tower. The station’s power supply will also be upgraded.
Amanda Naughton, Scheme Project Manager for Scotland’s Railway, said: “We were delighted that both of Anniesland’s lift towers and both linkspan bridges could be installed in a single night shift on 15-16 June.
“The successful installation of the lift towers is the final major structural element bringing us closer to completion of the work programme.
“Thanks to our neighbours and the local community for bearing with us while this essential work is carried out.”
Notes
Network Rail has worked with Glasgow City Council to make sure the traffic and pedestrian management system is as safe as it can be.
The Access for All Scheme at Anniesland station is one of six schemes funded by the Department for Transport in Scotland during the last five years. Croy and Johnstone were completed in 2022, Port Glasgow was completed earlier this year and work is underway at Uddingston and Dumfries.