Work on Balgray station on the Neilston line is expected to begin in the next few months, and council officials have said the project is “progressing well”.
Most of the funding for the scheme is coming from the Glasgow City Region City Deal — an infrastructure programme funded by both the UK and Scottish governments — and was approved in September last year.
East Renfrewshire Council is also providing around £2.6m.
Councillor Andrew Anderson, Labour, asked about a project start date at a recent cabinet meeting.
One official said: “We have no specific date yet but as I understand it the legal agreement is now in place and a programme of works is to be agreed with Network Rail.”
Another official added the final design stages are now being undertaken by Story Contracting.
“We hope that they will go on site around May/June time, and complete around June 2026,” she said. “It is progressing well and we expect it to start this summer.”
Cabinet members were given an update on the council’s capital programme. A report stated expenditure in the 2024/25 financial year is “now likely to be limited to design costs and fees, with main construction works now scheduled to start during 2025/26”.
Network Rail’s plans for the station include two platforms and signalling apparatus, a new footbridge with lifts, waiting shelters and an 80-space car park with space for electric vehicles.
A path will link the station to Darnley Country Park.
In a letter to the council last year, the rail company stated: “The new station aligns with significant residential development in the Barrhead South area and will improve public transport links between Barrhead, the Dams to Darnley Country Park, and Glasgow.
“The station is expected to improve access to employment and services for people living in the area.”
An access road and bus-turning circle have already been completed. Racks for bike storage will be installed in the car park.
A lease was agreed in July last year to allow Network Rail to take over council land on a 175-year deal to provide the parking area at the station.
Council leader Owen O’Donnell, Labour, previously said the station would “make a huge difference for our existing community in Barrhead as well as for residents from the new housing developments”.
He said it would make it much easier to access jobs, education and services as well as the country park.
