The multi-million-pound redevelopment project will transform the appearance and facilities of the station to create a landmark mixed-use development incorporating both the current station footprint and the airspace above the station car park.

Designed to complement a wider expansion of the Buchanan Galleries shopping complex, the station concourse will be extended and redesigned to improve passenger circulation and enhance ticketing, waiting area and retail facilities.

The current 1960s front entrance will give way to a modern glass frontage. The Dundas Street and North Hanover Street entrances will be redesigned and benefit from significant streetscape improvements. New entrances from Cathedral Street and the Buchanan Galleries shopping centre will be created.

Inside, passengers will benefit from an extended concourse, access to a new mezzanine level foodcourt, and an atrium link into the extended Buchanan Galleries shopping centre.

The mezzanine and foodcourt will be created in the air space above the current station car park, while that car park will be replaced with a better designed, modern transport interchange and multi-storey parking facility.

The Buchanan Partnership’s proposals for the station were selected after an extensive competitive tendering process.

David Simpson, Network Rail route managing director for Scotland, said: “Glasgow Queen Street is one of the busiest stations in Scotland handling more than 19 million passengers a year and the proposals announced today will deliver a more modern station with enhanced retail and leisure facilities for those travellers.

“The Buchanan Partnership’s exciting plans for the station will also greatly enhance the appeal of the wider city centre to rail passengers and shoppers alike and this partnership allows Network Rail to redevelop this important station in a cost-effective way and generate additional revenue which we can reinvest in the nation’s railways.”

Lester Hampson, Head of Retail, Land Securities, said: “The Buchanan Partnership is delighted to have been selected as development partner.

“The redevelopment of Glasgow Queen Street Station will create a world-class integrated transport hub and is an important element in progressing our aspiration to enhance and expand the Buchanan Quarter, cementing Glasgow’s position as the top retail and leisure destination outside London.”

Work on the project is expected to commence in 2013 with completion in 2015. Passengers will notice some improvements at the station entrances prior to the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The redevelopment will also provide significant benefits for the Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvements Programme, by enhancing one of the main stations on that route, while also making provision for potential capacity expansion at the station.

City.Mobi

Also in Europe today, City.Mobi is celebrating the success of its new guide to London.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.

However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi and Sydney.Mobi.

London.Mobi is the latest in this illustrious line up, offering click to call functionality – which means no scribbling down telephone numbers.

Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.

Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.

City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide.