A NEW Subway line crossing Glasgow from east to west could be up and running in time for the Commonwealth Games.
A NEW Subway line crossing Glasgow from east to west could be up and running in time for the Commonwealth Games.
The scheme would run in tandem with a complete facelift of the existing Clockwork Orange.
The 111-year-old Subway would get better stations, escalators, lighting, new rolling stock, upgraded power supply and a new ticket system.
Together, the extension and the upgrade would cost hundreds of millions of pounds.
Earlier this year, consultants employed by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, presented 11 possible options for the future of the Subway.
Transport chiefs to visit Delhi for adviceBy Iain Lundy GLASGOW transport chiefs are set to go on a fact-finding trip to one of the world's poorest countries - for tips on running a subway. A delegation from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has been invited to inspect the Urban Metro system in the Indian capital New Delhi. The Consul General of India has written to SPT requesting that two senior members of the board make the 4200-mile trip. As well as inspecting the subway, there would be a chance to study transport arrangements in the city which is due to host the 2010 Commonwealth Games. A report by SPT boss Ron Culley says costs of the trip can be met from existing budgets and that it will have "potential benefits" for the Glasgow subway network. Mr Culley's report, being considered at today's SPT Board meeting, says the recently-opened Metro system in New Delhi is regarded by some as "the best in the world". He adds: "It is some distance removed from an old stereotype of Indian railways being aged and unsafe. New Delhi is at the heart of one of the fastest growing metropolitan conurbations in Asia with a population of 14.1million people. "The development of a sustainable transport system is critical to that city's economy which has to deal with the increasing impacts of climate change." Mr Culley said the Consul General had revealed there were carriage and engine manufacturers in India who could provide rolling stock to European specifications but much cheaper. He added: "It is noted that the Commonwealth Games are to be held in New Delhi in 2010 and transport connections are at an advanced stage. "How these are managed by the New Delhi Municipal Council, the New Delhi Legislative Assembly and the Commonwealth games Federation will be of critical importance to the games." |
One involved a separate circle to the East End with stations at St Mungo's Onslow, Duke Street, Celtic Park, Dalmarnock, Newhall and Gorbals.
It would have linked in with existing Subway stations at Bridge Street, St Enoch and Buchanan Street.
But the cost of the project was estimated at an eye-watering £2.3billion forcing SPT bosses to do a re-think.
They insist they have not ruled out long-term plans for the hugely expensive scheme but have now come up with a new cheaper proposal.
It would involve a line from the SECC in the west to St Enoch and through to Bridgeton to Parkhead in the east.
The consultants will also be asked to look at extending the line from the SECC to Yorkhill Hospital but will be told the SECC to Parkhead link is the priority.
The new subway line would surface at the East End of Celtic Park, across the road from the site of the New National Indoor Arena and near the planned Commonwealth Games village.
SPT chairman Alistair Watson said work on the extension could start by 2010 and be finished for the Games in 2014 but will need financial backing from the Scottish Government.
He added: "To achieve that, we will have to demonstrate it is a value for money project.
"However linking the SECC to Parkhead would be a huge prize for Glasgow."
A recent report said: "There is no doubt it would be a vital component in the current East End regeneration plans and would provide a huge boost to the economic development in the east of the city."
Consultants will spend the next 18 months looking at whether it is possible to use existing underground tunnels which have been unused since the Beeching rail cuts of the 1960s and at the exact cost of the operation.
The tunnels have been regularly maintained and a recent inspection found they are structurally sound.
It is known that SPT bosses are still looking at plans to extend the opening hours of the Subway, which currently closes at 11.30pm on weekdays and 6pm on Sundays.
A multi-million pound upgrade, particularly one serving the top concert venue the SECC, would provide fresh impetus for later opening.
Mr Watson said the Subway extension and improvements to the existing system will go ahead regardless of whether or not Glasgow wins the Games.
He added: "We are not going to be spending hundreds of millions of pounds just for 10 days of athletics."
A survey of 700 people carried out by the Evening Times found 93% were in favour of extending the Subway.
Mr Watson said: "The city needs a world-class Subway system. That is what our passengers deserve but I realise an extension won't come cheap and we still have lots of hurdles to overcome.
"However we have the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and will need to move large numbers of people around the city safety. This proposal has been spoken about many times in the past but we now mean business."
Although still costly the price of improving the Subway is still likely to pale into insignificance in comparison to some transport projects such as the £1billion plan to electrify the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail link - reducing journey times to 35 minutes.
And it could come in cheaper than the £600m project to launch a tram network in Edinburgh.
The SPT boss insists the extension and upgrade of the existing system can be in place in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.
He said: "We have a once in a lifetime opportunity because of the Games and the regeneration of the Clyde and the East End. We will only get one shot at this and we are up for it."
Chief executive Ron Culley is in no doubt major improvements need to be carried out to the Subway network.
He said: "We need to face the fact the current system is fraying at the edges. The Subway is 111-years-old and is showing its age."
The last renovation of the Subway was in 1977 when it closed for two years. But during this renovation, which will be phased over a decade, it will remain open.
Mr Culley said: "Between 13-15m passengers would be forced to the surface and that would gridlock the city so we would have to keep it open."
