Plans to revamp Glasgow High Street station scrapped due to lack of funding

A proposal to redevelop Glasgow’s High Street station isn’t going ahead as Transport Scotland is “currently unable to offer funding”.

There had been plans to refurbish the station, improving connections to the east end, using a funding package which included City Deal money.

But a recent update on City Deal projects — a more than £1bn infrastructure investment programme funded by both governments — revealed the High Street scheme is “no longer viable”.

A Glasgow City Council spokeswoman said the available City Deal funding alone couldn’t cover the cost of the project, but public realm improvements are still planned.

Transport Scotland, which said it has provided £700,000 towards the development of the scheme, has suggested the council could change the scope to make it more affordable.

The City Deal update to Glasgow councillors stated many funding bodies are “struggling with budgetary and inflationary pressures” and have reviewed available funds.

It added, during 2023/24, Transport Scotland confirmed that “following a review of its project pipeline and budget, it is no longer able to provide funding to support the redevelopment of High Street station”.

“This decision made the proposal to redevelop the station (a Network Rail asset) no longer viable, as City Deal funding alone could not cover the total budget required.”

The council spokeswoman added: “Recent discussions with Network Rail have confirmed however that other elements of the project, notably improving High Street’s public realm and connectivity remain deliverable.

“Design work for a public realm and active travel scheme on High Street is ongoing, with public consultation on the concepts having just completed. Network Rail is also looking at options to improve the station’s exterior.”

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “The current pressures on public finances are well documented and this means we need to keep our pipeline programme of rail projects under review to ensure we deliver the right projects, at the right time, in the right place.

“While we are currently unable to offer funding towards the High Street station redevelopment as currently proposed, Transport Scotland has already provided £700,000 towards development of this project and it remains an option for Glasgow City Council to change the scope to make it more affordable in line with available City Deal funding.”

Other Glasgow City Region City Deal projects are also being put on hold due to rising costs.

These include plans to refurbish the ‘Smartie Tube’ tunnel over the Clydeside Expressway and revamp some city centre streets under the Avenues programme.

The decisions follow a review of investment plans due to the impact of inflation on the construction sector in recent years as a result of factors such as the pandemic, Brexit and war in Ukraine.