Network Rail has appointed Story Contracting to design a new railway station on the Neilston line in the area south of Barrhead.

The station will be located off Balgraystone Road, between Patterton and Neilston stations. Plans for the site include car parking as well as bus and active travel routes.

The name of the proposed new station will be Balgray, as it will be located next to Balgray Reservoir. The name is an old Scottish place name meaning either Bal (settlement) or Balg (bulge or bag shaped body of water).

Funded by the Glasgow City Region City Deal, and to be delivered in partnership with East Renfrewshire Council, the new station will improve public transport links between Barrhead, the Dams to Darnley Country Park, and Glasgow.

Initial work to investigate the proposed station site is already underway.

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Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland's Railway, said: "I'm delighted that the proposal to locate a new station south of Barrhead is taking another significant step forward.

"New stations have the potential to transform the communities they serve, support growth in travel for work and leisure, and provide opportunities for local people by improving connectivity, in this case, primarily into Glasgow.

"Scotland's Railway will work closely with East Renfrewshire Council over the coming months to prepare the design plans for the new station."

John MacArthur, Managing Director, Story Contracting (Scotland) said: "We are extremely proud to be appointed as the trusted partner to deliver the next step towards a significant new station. 

"We are looking forward to working alongside Network Rail and East Renfrewshire Council to design a solution which will improve connectivity for passengers and benefit the local community." 

East Renfrewshire Council Leader Owen O'Donnell said: "It's great to see work progressing on the Glasgow City Region Deal-funded rail station in Barrhead.  This station will bring huge benefits for the existing community in Barrhead as well as residents from the new housing developments nearby, providing improved access to jobs, education and services. It also allows for a much-improved public transport link to Dams to Darnley Country Park."

Those who want to find out more about the plans for the new station are invited to attend a public information drop-in on Tuesday 12 December, 3.00pm-7.00pm, at the Auchenback Resource Centre, Aurs Drive, Barrhead.