Timely arrival of station refit

The station has been able to keep its timetable running

A £35m refurbishment of Glasgow Central Railway Station has been completed under budget and one year ahead of schedule.

Work on the Grade A listed station, owned by Railtrack, began in March 1997 and was due for completion in 2001.

The programme of improvements has now been completed and will be inspected by Scottish Transport Minister Sarah Boyack on Monday.

The refurbishment includes a replacement glass roof, increased safety and better access for disabled people.

Glasgow Central as it once looked

The station, which caters for 90,000 passengers and 500 train journeys per day, has remained open throughout the project.

Developers Bovis Lend Lease had to erect a massive crash deck to allow safe work to take place on the roof.

Nearly seven acres of glazing had to be replaced, while a new roof access system has been constructed to allow for future maintenance.

The station was originally opened in 1879 and was built at a cost of £2m.