Glasgow Queen Street refurbishment and remodelling

[applepie2100]

For most of this week there have been barriers around the top end of platforms 2--5 where what I assume the crumple zones are for the buffer stops. Does anyone have any idea why?

There also seem to be issues with parts of the roof leaking when it rains (and believe me it rains a lot in Scotland!) so it looks like there might be a fair bit of snagging still outstanding.

Unfortunately the lack of retail with only a couple of coffee carts taking up space on the concourse, missing the opportunity to install escalators to the low level and no work at all being done on the low level itself takes the shine off the project a little. It does look really good but it could be even better.

 

[Carntyne]

It looks like they've got plenty of shop space available, tenants probably the real issue given the drop in passenger numbers.

 

[najaB]

Unfortunately the lack of retail with only a couple of coffee carts taking up space on the concourse...

There is space for retail now and the space will more than double when the next phase of the development happens.

...missing the opportunity to install escalators to the low level and no work at all being done on the low level itself

There was some discussion up-thread about that but it seems that escalators were considered but reduced the passenger capacity as compared to stairs. There may be new escalators in the next phase of development.

 

[paul1609]

I'm not bothered about the retail but the low level station which hosts the Helensburgh to Waverley service is a major short coming to my mind.

 

[najaB]

I'm not bothered about the retail but the low level station which hosts the Helensburgh to Waverley service is a major short coming to my mind.

What improvements would you have liked to have seen?

 

[paul1609]

Unfortunately the abandoned island platform in the middle seems to give the low level station a semi derelict feel. Escalators to the main concourse should have been an absolute must. I don't believe the reduced passenger flows, there is loads of room.

 

[Bald Rick]

Unfortunately the abandoned island platform in the middle seems to give the low level station a semi derelict feel. Escalators to the main concourse should have been an absolute must. I don't believe the reduced passenger flows, there is loads of room.

I must say I think it’s fine.

 

[najaB]

Unfortunately the abandoned island platform in the middle seems to give the low level station a semi derelict feel. Escalators to the main concourse should have been an absolute must.

They haven't been ruled out, they just weren't included in this phase of the project.

 

[swt_passenger]

They haven't been ruled out, they just weren't included in this phase of the project.

They aren’t shown on the plans for the next phase, which were discussed back in July. Post #1528 or so…

 

[najaB]

They aren’t shown on the plans for the next phase, which were discussed back in July. Post #1528 or so…

I know, but I was under the impression that those plans were under review, no?

 

[paul1609]

I must say I think it’s fine.

It's really not. No escalators from the low level. 50p cash charge (if you have to charge then surely Contactless in this day and age) for using the toilet down stairs from the main concourse. Image over practicality I'm afraid. 1 out of 5, shocking waste of money imho.

 

[alangla]

What improvements would you have liked to have seen?

Removing the posters talking about the rebuild that completely cover the walls, installing extra seating (ScotRail or NR recently tweeted a before vs after picture and some comments said that the yellow bench that ran the length of the platform offered far more seats), replace the tall metal bar things with proper seats, add some kind of dynamic “doors stop here” indicators to spread people along 3 or 6 car sets, remove the platform end barriers that are in front of the new lifts (yep, they are beyond the barrier, though it’s now left open, still discouraging though) & improve signage for them, fix the leaks coming through the ceiling & light fittings, generally redecorate and fix the timetable as timekeeping is all over the shop just now (ok, not station related)

 

[matt]

Reopened for @Nev85 to post an update

 

[Nev85]

Thanks @matt!

Seemingly out of nowhere, the planning application for a new podium building to east of the existing trainshed at Queen Street has been approved. From the planning statement, this covers:

The development works for which consent is being sought are:
• construction of a podium building, linked to the new concourse to accommodate station and passenger facilities;
• a plaza deck to the podium building;
• alterations to the east elevation of the train shed; and
• alteration of the retaining wall on the east and north boundaries of the site and to the Cathedral Street bridge parapet.

There don't appear to have been any additional documents submitted so where this update has come from I'm not sure, but keen to see something happen here.

 

[mcmad]

The additional documents are now uploaded.

Seems the original application was back in 2021, suspect this is now not going to happen.

 

[fgwrich]

Thanks @matt!

Seemingly out of nowhere, the planning application for a new podium building to east of the existing trainshed at Queen Street has been approved. From the planning statement, this covers:



There don't appear to have been any additional documents submitted so where this update has come from I'm not sure, but keen to see something happen here.

Thanks for the update, it's good to see progress with this scheme at long last!

 

[Indigo Soup]

Seemingly out of nowhere, the planning application for a new podium building to east of the existing trainshed at Queen Street has been approved. From the planning statement, this covers:

Application 21/01473/LBA appears to be an application for enabling works to the site & its boundaries. I think this includes the east end access to the low-level station, which will be needed prior to the main development, and which will be the reason why they're separate applications. Network Rail has three years to commence these works.

Application 21/01480/PAP concerns the actual construction of the new building. Curiously, it's still listed as 'Pending Decision', but an approval letter (with a number of minor conditions) has been uploaded for it. The passive provision for oversite development might prove to be irrelevant, given that the Buchanan Galleries redevelopment has been massively scaled back.

There's something unintentionally quite funny about one of the renders in the Design & Access Statement showing a Class 455 in South West Trains livery in the low level station, and something in Transport for London livery in the high level station!

 

[nlogax]

The additional documents are now uploaded.

Seems the original application was back in 2021, suspect this is now not going to happen.

I suspect you may be right. Not convinced the state of 2024's public finances can enable 2021's original vision.

 

[vic-rijrode]

...There's something unintentionally quite funny about one of the renders in the Design & Access Statement showing a Class 455 in South West Trains livery in the low level station, and something in Transport for London livery in the high level station!

Railtours?

 

[james73]

There's plan to add two new fire exit staircases to the Low Level.

 

[och aye]

I didn't expect to see this thread reactivated.

It's a bit of a shame that the 2nd phase probably isn't going to happen for many years.