The last major refurbishment Glasgow’s subway stations took place in the late 1970’s. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport embarked on a modernisation of all stations with Austin-Smith:Lord being appointed as Lead Consultants (RIBA stages 1-7) for Phase 3 of the station modernisation programme which comprises of Kelvinbridge, Shields Road, Cessnock and Bridge Street subway stations.

The modernisation project will allow SPT to meet the needs of current and future passenger demands and to standardise all subway stations to SPT design criteria.

Key areas which have been focused on within each station includes ‘The station building in the streetscape’, ‘Passenger and staff usability of the concourse’, ‘clear and concise station circulation’, ‘Platforms as waiting spaces’, ’Staff accommodation’, ‘Lighting’, ‘Passenger information’ and ‘Advertising’. Each station harbours unique design challenges, with Kelvinbridge adjoining the Grade A listed ‘Great Western Road Bridge Over River Kelvin’, the proximity of Shields road to Scotland Street School by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Cessnock station’s location at the base of ‘Walmer Crescent’ designed by Alexander “Greek” Thomson.