Dalmarnock Station is being axed and an £11million hub built in its place opposite the Commonwealth Arena and Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. The new facility is to be next to the Athletes Village which will accommodate 6500 competitors and officials.

The station shut yesterday with passengers forced to use neighbouring stations at Bridgeton and Belgrove until the new hub opens just weeks before Christmas.

Work began 10 months ago when site clearance got under way. It included the painting of 15 giant concrete encased overhead steel beams.

The changes are also to see the station entrance relocated from Swanston Street to Dalmarnock Road.

Commuters are to get:

l A new, fully accessible railway station

l Lift access to the hub's two platforms

l New pedestrian footbridge

l New platform surfaces

l Wall cladding on both platforms

l New customer information and communication systems.

The new station – which is expected to be used by thousands of spectators during the Games – is to be reopened on Monday, November 26.

It is also part of the lasting legacy which has already transformed Dalmarnock and other parts of the East End.

The station will also be used by footballs fans attending matches at neighbouring Celtic Park.

The new station is being funded by Clyde Gateway Urban Regeneration Company, Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) with extra money secured from the European Regional Development Fund.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said recently: "This cutting-edge transport hub will help attract new businesses, commercial, housing and office developments."

gordon.thomson@eveningtimes.co.uk