The leading architect behind the refurbishment of
Glasgow Central Station more than 25 years ago has warned its roof will have to be rebuilt.
Alan Dunlop told The Herald that the iconic glass structure is fragile and will have been damaged by
the blaze which broke out in a nearby building in Union Street yesterday afternoon.
"It looks as though the damage has significantly affected the roof of Central Station. I don't know how it would not have.
"The restoration of the station was one of my architectural projects... I can't imagine how the roof of Central Station which is glass won't be significantly affected by the damage caused by the fire," he said.
"I am absolutely positive it will be. It is a completely glass roof and there was such an inferno there I can't imagine how the glass won't be affected."
Mr Dunlop was involved in the refurbishment of the station more than 25 years ago, including work to the roof, the station frontage and to the Hielanman's Umbrella, the
Glaswegian nickname for the glass walled railway bridge which carries the platforms of
Glasgow Central station across
Argyle Street.
Asked how much and how long it would take to rebuild the roof, he said it would be tens of millions of pounds.
"It will depend on whether the steel works which supports the glass is affected," he added.
"A survey will have to be done for that but I can't see how the glass would remain in tact as it was quite fragile.
Glasgow Central Station has a glass roof
(Image: Gordon Terris)
"I can't believe Central Station won't be without damage particularly to the roof. I believe that consquently the station will be closed for a long time.
"It will have to be closed entirely or have managed access to the trains while the roof is finished."
Firefighters rushed to the scene after the alarm was raised after reports of a fire in a vape shop in Union Street at about 3.45pm on Sunday.
The station was closed as firefighters tackled the blaze - which later
caused the building on Union Street where the fire broke out to collapse. No-one has been reported to be injured.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said this morning nine appliances and three high-reach vehicles remain at the scene.
The fire took hold of the Victorian buildings neighbouring the station and the dome at one corner collapsed.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said today: “Glasgow Central Station remains closed following the fire in a building on Union Street on Sunday.
“While the fire is now under control, emergency services are still on site and we continue to support their response.
“The station will remain closed today and likely tomorrow. Timescales for reopening will only be confirmed once we are able to safely gain access and carry out the necessary checks.
“All services to and from Glasgow Central are currently suspended, and passengers should continue to follow alternative travel arrangements as advised by their train operators.
“We will provide further updates as soon as more information is available.”
On its website Network Rail says that in the 1990s, as part of the Railtrack Station Regeneration Programme in Scotland, Railtrack spent £80m refurbishing the station with conservation in mind.
This included refurbishing the roof structure, restoration of glazed screens and new station buildings were built to mimic the original James Millar structures of the original station and the restoration of the Hielanman’s Umbrella.
