DEMOLITION of a historic Strathbungo building has been delayed after residents launched a petition to save it.

Earlier this week, those living on Nithsdale Road were informed by letter of Network Rail’s plans to tear down the building that was once Strathbungo Railway Station and later became the popular Susie’s Store.

Work was due to take place between 8pm on Saturday, July 18 and 4.30am on Monday, July 20 with temporary concrete bollards and fencing raised in its place.

But the company has decided to delay the work to allow a consultation to take place. Concerns had been previously raised by residents and local councillors that public opinion had been overlooked.

READ MORE: Petition started to save historic Strathbungo building 

Network Rail anticipate that the station building, which closed to passengers permanently in 1962, having opened in December 1877 and later became Susie’s in 1968 is not fit for purpose.

The shop closed last year after 35 years of service.

Alan Muir, property director Network Rail Scotland, said: “The former Strathbungo station building has been vacant for some time and is no longer fit for commercial use.

“Unfortunately, due to its deteriorating condition, we believe the best course of action is to remove the building from the railway.

“We understand the concerns of the local community, so we are pausing the planned demolition this weekend. This will give us a better opportunity to share more information with them about activity in the local area as part of our proposals to electrify the line.”

More than 600 people have signed a petition to save the site, which is deemed a local landmark, in a bid to keep it within the community.

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Set up by Paula Khan, it reads: “Not only is it an important community landmark, it’s an architectural gem, and should be preserved. Network Rail plan to demolish it soon. There are so many community organisations that could use it. Can we save it?

“I’ve put this petition together to show Network Rail that the community really care about the property, and to lose it would be like losing a part of our identity.”