Working in partnership with various stakeholders, Scottish Ministers have decided to progress a greatly enhanced development at the North Hanover Street car park site of the station.

The new plans include extensive retail, food and beverage opportunities, and will also deliver a development deck upon which further private sector investment can be taken forward.

Unveiling the alternative plans to the public, transport minister Humza Yousaf said: “The new proposal will help deliver a 21st century station acting as a catalyst for further private sector investment. Alongside the redevelopment of Queen Street station being delivered as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) this will see a significant improvement to the overall passenger experience and deliver significant economic benefits to the city.”

Queen Street Station has been undergoing a £100m makeover since last August.

The redevelopment of Queen Street is part of the wider Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme, a Scottish Government investment in the central belt’s rail infrastructure, and is being delivered by Network Rail.

It will mean an increase in capacity for the station and space for longer trains, so more passengers can travel with ease.

The new below-deck development will provide around 3,800 square metres for such facilities, in comparison to the 500 square metres which would have been provided by the partially constructed project. The layout of the retail, food and beverage outlets will be largely in accordance with previously consented plans.

Projected rental income from the revised plan sees a potential increase from circa £370k with the original proposal per annum to £2.2 million - £2.7 million per annum.

Works continue on redeveloping the main station building as part of the EGIP with the recent commencement of the main demolition works of Consort House which is needed to make space for the new Queen Street station frontage.

The revised plan, whilst not part of EGIP, will have no detrimental impact on the delivery of the EGIP key milestones.

Alex Hynes, ScotRail Alliance managing director, said: “We look forward to working with the Scottish Government, and other commercial partners, on this ambitious vision for Queen Street. We’re building the best railway Scotland has ever had and these plans will deliver an exciting new development for our customers and the people of Glasgow.

“The station is currently being transformed to allow new longer, faster and greener electric trains to run on our railway and the plans announced today will help to ensure Queen Street continues to play a central role in the social and economic life of the city.”

Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, added: “The revised plans for Queen Street Station will deliver far greater local economic benefit, securing the full potential of the site and will provide significant employment opportunities once the development deck has been fully delivered. The redevelopment will both give the station a retail offer befitting one of Scotland’s busiest transport hubs and provide a striking entry into the city for travellers coming to Glasgow.”