A BUSY train station in East Renfrewshire is set to be improved through a £1.2million project.

It comes after Network Rail announced work will shortly begin to renew platform 1 at Giffnock station.

The four-month-long project will see the replacement of the 153-metre-long platform that's been in place for more than 80 years.

It will begin on December 2 and is expected to finish in April 2024.

A core element of the work will involve engineers replacing the section to the south end of platform 1, which is also being extended by 15 metres to improve future signalling in this location.

Travellers are also being advised as the work is being delivered overnight, the station opening hours will operate as normal and the pedestrian footbridge will remain open at all times.

Ian Clark, project manager at Network Rail, said: “The deteriorating condition of platform 1 makes this work a priority as part of our wider maintenance strategy.

“We understand the inconvenience our activity will cause the community living nearby and thank people for their patience.

"However, this vital work is a necessary part of preserving our assets to ensure we run a safe and reliable railway for our customers.”

The rail firm has confirmed there is no planned work over the festive period from December 22 until January 6.

On top of that, to "safely" house the site compound and materials during the work, 11 parking spaces at the car park neighbouring the station will be used from December 2 until December 22.

Then from January until the works are complete in April, a total of 33 parking spaces will be used.

Meanwhile, to safely deliver the refurbishment works, a section of the platform between January 26 and February 23, a two-carriage train service will operate during this time.

The platform renewal work is not part of the East Kilbride Enhancement project.