Glasgow's subway to be given Rennie Mackintosh makeover

The unique lettering designed by the city's most famous architect would be used for the system's motif and station names.

The proposal by the city council is part of a 20 million scheme to refurbish the 102-year-old underground railway, which is the third-oldest in the world after London and Budapest.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), which runs the circular system, plans to give its 15 stations a major facelift, with new lifts installed and escalators replaced.

The Mackintosh rebranding plan has been likened to the "Metropolitain" entrances to the Paris Metro designed by the architect Hector Guimard at the turn of the last century.

However, the proposal met with a mixed reaction from Mackintosh experts who warned that his reputation must not be further tarnished after previous poor imitations of his style, such as in jewellery.

SPT hopes to start the revamp next year with either Ibrox, Hillhead or Kelvinhall stations.

The rest of the scheme would be finished in time for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow two years later.

SPT plans to fund the work using money saved from interest payments after the Scottish Government rescheduled its long-term debt.

However, separate plans to extend the system with an east-west link to Celtic Park have been shelved because of the lack of government funding. Ministers are also thought to prefer the development of buses in urban areas.

A report to be considered at an SPT meeting on Friday stated: "Representation has been made to SPT by Glasgow City Council inviting consideration on utilising the style of Charles Rennie Mackintosh for the Subway motif."

Pamela Robertson, professor of Mackintosh studies at Glasgow University, and a former chairwoman of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, said: "Mackintosh is uniquely associated with Glasgow, and if the subject is sensitively and appropriately done, it could work very well.

"However, it must maintain the quality associated with Mackintosh's original design."

Murray Grigor, a Fife-based film-maker who has campaigned against "Mockintosh" – poor imitations of his style – opposed the plans. He said: "This just sounds like inappropriate kitsch."

SPT last upgraded the Subway during a three-year closure in the late 1970s.

It now wants to overhaul the system, including improving station entrances to boost "first impressions".

The Subway carries 14.5 million people a year, with links to the rail system at several stations which are used by many of its passengers.

This could be improved with better interchanges, such as an underground "travellator" between St Enoch station and Glasgow Central.

A similar link already operates between Buchanan Street Subway station and Queen Street station.

More trains could run to cope with increased passengers if signalling is improved.

Initially, the three-carriage trains would be refurbished, but brand-new trains – which would have to be specially made at a cost of up to 100 million because of the unique narrow gauge – will be required eventually.

Stations may also be renamed to reflect passenger use, with Shields Road becoming Scotland Street since it is close to the Mackintosh-designed school, now a museum.

Kelvinhall, which serves Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, could become Art Galleries. A new ticket system will also be introduced which would include Smartcard technology.