Proposed Clyde Metro receives backing from transport vision paper

A DRAFT policy paper, looking at Scotland’s possible transport needs over the next 20 years, has recommended continued exploration of plans to create a ‘Clyde Metro’, spreading at least 15km out from Glasgow city centre.

Recommends the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) – here – the Clyde Metro should continue to be the subject of business cases and a delivery plan – involving Scottish Government agency, Transport Scotland, working with Glasgow City Council, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and other regional partners.

Says STPR2: “Metro transport systems include one of or a combination of bus rapid transit, light rail and metro rail. These options would complement the service provided by traditional railways and may include the conversion from existing railways to light rail or metro rail.”

Adds a media announcement from Glasgow City Council (here): “Clyde Metro represents a multi-billion investment which, when complete, could better connect over 1.5 million people to employment, education, and health services in and around the Glasgow city region.

“It would target areas where connections are currently poor, including places where there is deprivation.  The system would help to deliver environmental benefits and improve public transport journey times and journey time reliability, making sustainable travel options more attractive.

“Its inclusion as an investment priority follows on from a previous recommendation by the Connectivity Commission that work should be taken forward to develop a Metro proposal. Subsequently, the Glasgow City Region City Deal Cabinet agreed to pause the City Deal funded Airport Access Project to develop a feasibility study on a wider regional Metro opportunity.

“The study was mobilised in 2020, and a multi-disciplinary team established by the council on behalf of the city region. This strategic appraisal set out to tie-in with local, regional, and national work on transport planning, with work subsequently boosted by the inclusion of a Metro concept as part of STPR2 Phase 1. This development enabled the Metro Feasibility Study to become fully aligned and able to support Phase 2 of STPR2 with additional, complementary outputs.”

The STPR2 contains 45 recommendations, including for Edinburgh and Aberdeen, plus for more rural locations, such as Argyll and Bute.

Consultation on the draft paper ends on April 15, here.

Pictured: Glasgow’s recently-revamped Queen Street rail station. Picture credit: Place Design Scotland