February 23 2022

Network Rail and IDP Architects are to refurbish the low-level platforms at Glasgow Central Station with new flooring, cladding and a ceiling canopy.

The makeover of platforms 16 & 17 at the A-listed station seeks to improve the passenger experience and encourage passengers back onto trains as a sustainable alternative to the car.

Non-original surfaces dating from the reopening of the Argyle Line in 1979 and piecemeal alterations since will be stripped back in favour of new porcelain stair tiles, lift access, resurfacing and vinyl ScotRail branding.

Cast-iron columns surviving from the original 1896 station will be stripped of later fluted casing to reveal the original riveted ironwork columns, revealing the industrial character of the station behind modern accretions. Granite seating will be installed at the base of each column, replacing red quarry tile roundels, to encase support struts.

In a supporting statement Network Rail wrote: "The proposal is a major refurbishment project to enhance passenger experience and encourage people to use the train as a sustainable travel choice.

"The stripping back seeks to promote the industrial past, revealing a historic engineering feature (rivet patterned) and ensure consistency of 'type' across the platform."

Future improvements could be made to entrances, stairs and access corridors although this remains unfunded at this stage.

9 Comments

#1 Posted by modernish on 23 Feb 2022 at 15:18 PM

It's hard to establish if it's more grim before or after the work.

#2 Posted by Neil Paterson on 23 Feb 2022 at 15:39 PM

Think it looks good - all in favour of stripping back of some of Glasgow's stations to reflect the original features. Like the exposed bricks in the new image!

#3 Posted by Sue Pearman on 23 Feb 2022 at 16:00 PM

Looks like the same finishes, just rearranged.

#4 Posted by Elon Musk on 23 Feb 2022 at 16:35 PM

Glad to see the tracks removed, we can now have a Tesla Tunnel like Las Vegas!

#5 Posted by Alexander 'Geek' Thomson on 23 Feb 2022 at 19:12 PM

https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/001/480/271/851.png

#6 Posted by HMR on 24 Feb 2022 at 13:29 PM

Lacking any vision or design. Promoting sustainable travel? What does that statement mean, they are changing tiling and metal ceiling tiles.

How about some escalators and passenger movement studies

#7 Posted by Peter on 24 Feb 2022 at 14:07 PM

The moment you can smell the picture...

#8 Posted by Findo Gask on 25 Feb 2022 at 10:21 AM

Yes, #7 - are they going to do anything about the awful reek, like the stench of blocked toilets?

#9 Posted by JohnMF on 25 Feb 2022 at 10:39 AM

Has any thought been given to reinstating the two unused platforms in order to provide resilience on this heavily-used line? No, I thought not. Everything works perfectly, except when it doesn't.

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