Glasgow Subway to receive £2.5 million facelift

Glasgow Subway’s underground tunnels are to receive a £2.5 million facelift as Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) announces the latest projects to modernise the network.

The partnership has confirmed that contracts worth £1.3 million and £1.2 million have been awarded to contractors to refurbish a section of the tunnel and Partick station respectively.

On Friday, June 22, contracts were awarded to Balvac Ltd and Clancy Docwra at a meeting of SPT’s Partnership Committee.

Balvac will now carry out substantial tunnel lining improvements, waterproofing and the installation of a drainage system, while Clancy Docwra will begin work to refurbish Partick station, replacing the flooring, adding new wall finishes and ceilings, improved passenger information and signage, and energy-efficient lighting.

The projects are part of an overall £25 million initiative by SPT to improve the network’s infrastructure and to minimise ongoing maintenance costs over the next five years.

SPT’s wider modernisation plans include delivering refurbished stations, new trains and signalling, and smart card tickets.

SPT vice chairman David Fagan said: “Subway modernisation programme is not just about better stations and new trains, it is also about ensuring the current infrastructure is maintained to a high standard and to protect the integrity of the system. This major investment should be commended as in the longer term it will dramatically reduce maintenance costs.

“It has always been SPT’s intention to keep the subway operational while the stations are modernised. Whilst that is a huge challenge, it has been particularly successful during the works at Hillhead where there has been minimal disruption to our passenger’s day to day travel.”

Speaking about the Partick station refurbishment, Mr Fagan added: “Partick is one of the busiest interchanges in Scotland and I’m sure that the new design will improve the passenger experience as they move from rail to subway.  The work in Hillhead is certainly proving a big hit with our regular customers and feedback on the state of the art designs is overwhelmingly positive.”

Both projects are due to be completed by spring 2013, with tunnel works being carried out at night.