A BUSY West End bus station is to be closed for eight months to make way for a major new development.

Partick Interchange Bus Station is set to be ‘enhanced’ with improved passenger facilities and increased capacity.

The work, which will be begin 'shortly', will be carried out by SPT in partnership with Glasgow City Council and will see the current site expanded into the nearby Morrisons car park.

In the meantime, all buses will be diverted to temporary stops on Dumbarton Road.

The interchange, which is used by around 2.8 million rail passengers and just under one million subway passengers every year, is set to become even busier according to developers.

A report by SPT noted that the bus station has experienced a significant increase in recent years, due to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital opening, with up to 42 westbound bus services using Partick at peak times.

Demand for travel is further expected to increase due to the expansion of local housing, including student accommodation, and proposed retail and leisure facilities.

The improved interchange will separate bus movements from general traffic by creating a specific lane for general traffic between Vine Street and Merkland Street, allowing the full operational area to be restricted to buses and improving pedestrian safety.

Access to shops, services and nearby developments by walking and cycling will also be improved, along with integration with rail and Subway.

In addition, a ‘Drive In, Drive Out’ style arrangement will be created which can accommodate six stances in total - three along the southern side of the bus station and a further three stances on the central island.

Additional features will include ‘high quality’ shelters, real time passenger information displays, high access kerbs, improved LED lighting and an improved public realm.

SPT is also working closely with GCC and ScotRail to deliver improved cycle storage facilities in the footpath between Partick Interchange and Beith Street, while GCC is currently undertaking public realm enhancements to the area, further improving access by walking and cycling.

To make way for the redeveloped bus station, two separate areas of land - including a strip from the Morrisons car park - will be required.

A proposal has been put forward for Glasgow Harbour to lease a site adjacent to the car park in Anderson Street to Morrisons to accommodate the development.

SPT have will also acquire an area of plans from Partick Housing Association, to go ahead with the project.

A spokesperson for SPT, said: “SPT is seeking to award the contract to commence a major rejuvenation project of the Partick Bus Interchange.

“This is a considerable investment in the area. Due to the constraints of the site, it will, unavoidably, mean the temporary diversion of buses onto Dumbarton Road.

“This work is being planned and managed in conjunction with GCC to minimise the disruption to other road users, local residents and the significant number of passengers who currently make use of the bus station.

“The initial works are due to start on site shortly and are estimated to take eight to nine months to complete."