Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station in huge redevelopment plan

The plans includes a “a mixed-use development with a modern and flexible bus station and mobility hub at its heart” and potential for new flats, a hotel, shops and student accommodation with the area redesigned and landscaped.

The city centre is undergoing huge changes with George Square still under redevelopment and new student accommodation blocks being built or planned for several locations.

Redevelopment could also see the Concert Square multi-storey car park beside the station replaced.

The area between Cowcaddens Road and Glasgow Caledonian University to the north and Buchanan Galleries to the south are included.

Design images show a new redesigned station interior with new concourse and passenger areas and a new footbridge above the station linking across the bus station to the Buchanan Galleries and Royal Concert Hall site.

The future of the city centre is envisaged to be more residential with a local population and student living as well as accommodation for visitors to Glasgow.

The concept masterplan has five themes which were identified during public engagement sessions and a consultation.

George Gillespie, Executive Director of neighbourhood and regeneration, said in a report to councillors: "Glasgow City Council have worked in partnership with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport in production of the concept masterplan for the Bus Station and surrounding city block."

A report to the council lists the themes as:

• A 21st Century Mobility Hub - the bus station is envisioned as a modern, sustainable and resilient multimodal transport interchange that supports seamless connectivity across Glasgow and beyond;
• Enhanced User Experience - passenger comfort, safety, and convenience are central to the design;
• Quality Development - the development will be underpinned by high-quality architecture and placemaking;
• Future of Cowcaddens - the bus station will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of Cowcaddens, contributing to its transformation into a lively, mixed-use urban quarter; and
• Integrated Glasgow - the station will be a key node in Glasgow’s integrated transport network, supporting active travel and public transport interchange.

The idea behind the proposal is to promote the repopulation of the city centre with a focus on the Cowcaddens and Townhead areas.

Currently, the streets are undergoing changes to the road network with the Avenues Programme around Cambridge Street, Cowcaddens Road and Port Dundas Road under construction.

It has been decided that the area around the bus station could be integrated more effectively into surrounding areas of the city centre and to communities in the east and north. 

If it is approved by the City administration Committee next week, then it will be used to attract developers to invest in the site.