The grand new £86million train station opening in Europe’s ‘Little London’
A EUROPEAN destination that is great for city breaks will soon be getting a sparkling new train station.
Gothenburg is Sweden‘s second city and sometimes nicknamed ‘Little London’ due to the influx of British and Scottish immigrants in the 1800s.
And it will soon be getting a new railway station building, called Gothenburg Grand Central.
Gothenburg Central Station is part of a larger project, called West Link – which is a major infrastructure development that will involve a new underground railway tunnel.
In total, the West Link Project will gain three new underground stations – Gothenburg Grand Central, Haga and Korsvagen.
As for the development of the £86million Gothenburg Grand Central specifically, the current central station will be converted from a terminus station to a transit station with underground areas.
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In total, the building will sprawl across 15,000sqm – making it the largest of the three new stations – and feature a modern but still classical, design.
It will also have an entrance to a new city district known as Centralstaden, which will be a hub with new offices, shops and potentially, homes.
A lot of the project is focused on sustainability, with the building’s frame and joists made mostly from wood.
The roof of the station will then provide habitats for insects and birds, with a number of shrubs and flowers planted and insect hotels and birdhouses also placed on the roof.
Construction is due to start with Gothenburg Grand Central, opening in December 2026 with the upper floors opening later in early 2027.
The West Link is then set to be completed by 2030, and aims to double the capacity of the railway in the city.
Stellan Haraldsson, regional manager for Peab – the firm that has been commissioned to build Gothenburg’s new station building, said: “The new station building will be used by passengers and visitors from the West Link and all of western Sweden.
“As a local community builder in Gothenburg we’re proud to continue to contribute to the development of the region.”
The decision to redevelop the station comes after the city expects economic and population growth.
Gothenburg is already home to Sweden‘s biggest port, with many manufacturers also based in the city such as Volvo and AstraZeneca.
The up-and-coming city break destination is full of amazing sites to explore, including Liseberg – Scandinavia’s largest amusement park and the 2023 winner of the Park World Excellence Awards.
In the Haga district, there are many charming streets to explore as this area forms the old part of the city.
Whilst in the area, make sure to visit Cafe Husaren, which sells giant cinnamon rolls called Hagabullen and started making them back in the 1980s.
It is also in Haga where visitors will find the Gothenburg Museum of Art, which is home to a wide variety of art.
A great spot for families is the Universeum Science Centre, which is Sweden’s National Science Centre and is home to a real rainforest, with an aquarium hall.
Flights to Gothenburg from London cost around £30 return for either November or December.
Or you could fly from Manchester for around £35 return.
In other rail news, the iconic Orient Express train is set to return after 16 years with original 1920s carriages and double beds.
Plus, the UK’s ‘most scenic train line’ with waterfalls, rolling hillsides and spectacular views finally reopens after £1.4m revamp.