One of Two Accessible Subway Stations
3.5
3.5
Date of visit: October 2024
I am a disabled person. I have experience of challenges around: a hidden impairment, accessing toilets and moving around.
I use or have experience of: changing places toilet, disabled toilet, hidden impairment, powerchair, toilet with hoist, toilets, walking aid, wheelchair
Overall Rating
Good
St Enoch Subway Station is one of the two accessible subway stations in Glasgow. The large glass canopies at each entrance are a modest tribute to the Louvre Pyramids. The entrance facing Buchanan Street features escalators, whilst the Howard Street entrance has a lift and stairs. The station is well-situated in central Glasgow, right next to the St Enoch Shopping Centre, which also has a Changing Places toilet, and just down from Buchanan Street, one of the main shopping streets in Glasgow.
Disabled Access In and Around
Good
There's lift access at the Howard Street entrance, as well as stairs with rails on either side and tactile floor markings at the top and bottom. The lift is small but can accommodate most powerchairs and has a rail to hold on to. There are no braille buttons inside or outside the lift, and the lower floor button was missing, meaning you have to press the exposed plastic area under the button to use the lift. There is no induction loop in this lift. On the lower floor, there is a slight slope, which is easy to go down but a little harder to push back up if you're using a manual wheelchair. On the lower floor, you'll find ticket machines and a staffed ticket desk. There are no lowered desks, but there are shelves at each of the windows. An induction loop sign is also displayed in this area. The station is unique in Glasgow, as it’s the only one that requires you to go down two floors to reach the train. The lifts to the platform level are located near the escalators, and whilst all the buttons were intact, they are the same type of lift as the first. The ticket machines can be accessed from a wheelchair with ease and are simple to use. However, there were no alternative formats available.
Parking & Transport
Average
Parking in Glasgow is becoming a challenge these days, with many accessible parking spaces being removed. There are standard parking spaces on Howard Street, with free parking for those displaying a Blue Badges. You'll also find parking options inside and at the rear of the St Enoch Centre. There are several local bus routes, and Glasgow Central Station is 322 metres from the subway station.
Accessible Toilets
0There are no toilets at this location. The closest public toilets are in the St Enoch Centre, with both an accessible toilet and a Changing Places toilet located in the food court.
Staff
Excellent
The staff were very helpful, particularly when I went through a double-wide barrier only to find there was no lift on the other side. They helped me back through the barrier and took me to the lift.
Additional Information
Though this station has lift access, please keep in mind that Govan is the only other station with a lift. Govan is located on the other side of the River Clyde and doesn’t offer much in the way of tourist hot spots.
