Tuesday February 3rd 2026
Councillor George Redmond, MSP Paul Sweeney, MP John Grady, Councillor Cecilia O'Lone.
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Sarah Hilley
An east end train station with “very steep steps” will be transformed to make it more accessible, with a lift potentially set to be added.
People currently have to use stairs to access the Bellgrove station platform. But now, thanks to new funding the railway stop is set to become easier to reach for everyone including people using wheelchairs and parents with pushchairs.
The station, which was used by three quarters of a million passengers last year, is to receive UK Government cash for the changes, which will progress “directly to delivery.”
Calton Labour councillor George Redmond said looking down at the “very steep stairs” can be “quite off putting” and said it is “good to see the upgrade” which residents can enjoy for “years to come.”
Labour MSP Paul Sweeney said although he hasn’t seen the final design – the revamp could likely include “a single lift shaft from the platform level to the street, with a new staircase forming the core of the works.”
Mr Sweeney added: “Bellgrove is the 12th busiest station on the Glasgow railway network, serving three quarters of a million passengers last year, but its access has remained restricted to a single staircase from the island platform up to Bellgrove Street since the station opened in 1871, with the ticket office on the bridge lost during the North Clyde Line electrification scheme in 1960.
“Bellgrove was once at the heart of the city’s bustling cattle market, abattoir and meat market, and the station is now seeing a revival with Dennistoun and Calton becoming two of Glasgow’s most vibrant neighbourhoods, heavy football traffic during match days at Celtic Park, as well as the impending regeneration of the old Glasgow Cattle and Meat Market across the road, after more than 30 years of dereliction.”
He added: “I have been campaigning for this upgrade of Bellgrove station for several years now, so I am pleased that by working with my colleagues John Grady MP, Maureen Burke MP and Calton Councillors Redmond and O’Lone, we were able to successfully persuade the Rail Minister Peter Hendy that Bellgrove should be next on the list of Glasgow stations for this major access upgrade.”
MP John Grady said: ““I am delighted that the UK Government is funding the redevelopment of Bellgrove Station. The station can currently only be accessed using a narrow staircase which is not accessible for people in wheelchairs or with prams.
“These upgrades are very important for my constituents – improving accessibility at the station and allowing more people to travel by train in the area.”
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