TRAVEL on Glasgow's Subway has returned to normal after days of severe disruption for frustrated passengers.

The network was disrupted for six days after a tunnel problem last week, causing travel chaos for thousands of commuters.

The system was running on both lines as people used it to access the city's West End Festival parade.

Last week, Cowcaddens and Buchanan Street stations were shut after engineers discovered problems with the tunnel lining.

Buchanan Street reopened within hours but Cowcaddens remained closed as work was carried out to fix a section of the tunnel wall.

During the disruption shuttle trains ran on the outer circle between Buchanan Street and Govan, and Govan and St George's Cross, with replacement buses between St George's Cross and Buchanan Street.

SPT, which operates the Subway, also ran extra coaches from St George's Cross, Shields Road and Hillhead to Buchanan Street.

But angry passengers faced long journeys to get to and from work and complained about lack of information.

The problem with the lining of the outer circle tunnel was discovered during an inspection at Cowcaddens station last Monday night.

City council SNP leader Graeme Hendry said SPT's handling of the closure was "shambolic" and said passengers were justifiably angry.

But former SPT chairman Alistair Watson, who headed the body for seven years, said the organisation was facing a serious challenge modernising the system while keeping services running.

He said: "The current system is 40-years-old and past its sell-by date.

"There is a significant £300million refurbishment programme to upgrade the network and stations."

The upgrade will result in driverless trains and a ticket system similar to London's Oyster card.

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk