PLANS to “rejuvenate” transport in Glasgow City Centre by reducing the number of cars have been proposed by a leading expert.

The masterplan is a redesigning of the city streets putting pedestrians as the top priority and private cars at the bottom.

Professor David Begg chaired the independent Connectivity Commission set up by the City Council to investigate ways of improving transport and reducing congestion.

The proposals include more car free streets and increased use of car parks and bus terminals on the periphery of the city centre to create more space for walking and cycling.

The recommendations include a repurposing of the city centre network to prioritise pedestrians and replace the “grid system” with a “smart grid” that separates out different modes of transport.

It would mean fewer streets where cars are allowed and they would be on outer edges of larger grid areas where the streets inside are restricted to other transports modes like buses, taxis and cycling.

The commission proposes a transport hierarchy with walking at the top, followed by cycling, public transport, taxis and pool cars with private cars at the bottom.

He said Glasgow was a contradiction with a very low car ownership but a huge decline in bus patronage.

Prof Begg presented the findings of the Commission at the City Chambers and pointed to transport inequality in the city where poorer people come off worst.

He said: “ It’s galling that the poorest people in Glasgow contribute the least to poor air quality but suffer the most.”

Bus improvements were needed, he said, also to ensure that people in poorer communities with no rail station and no car were able to access job opportunities.

He said the council should be able to consider congestion charging and a workplace parking levy but stopped short of saying it should do it.

Professor Begg said that the city has to make the case to the Scottish Government for investment to radically transform transport in the city.

He said: “It’s Glasgow’s turn. Resource it properly.”

Pointing to major transport projects in other parts of the country, including the Aberdeen city bypass, Queensferry Crossing and Borders Railway, he added: “I don’t see how Scotland can fulfil its economic potential if Glasgow is not operating at full throttle.”

Professor Begg said the council has to be bold and take brave decisions.

He said the need to push ahead with pedestrianised streets, adding: “People will say don’t pedestrianise George Square. B*******, just do it.”

The changes will need public support and investment of resources on a scale which are in short supply for the council.

Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said she is willing to take the lead on both counts.

She said: “This is the hill I am prepared to die on. We will work to persuade people this is for the benefit of everyone. As council leader I need to have the courage to grasp this.”

Ms Aitken said she is prepared to make the case to the Scottish Government for funding for projects that will being growth.

She added: “We are already having conversations with government.

“They need to see investment will deliver benefits and we have got the evidence.”

Business leaders backed the overall aims of the report

Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said he supported much of the report and certainly backed the objective of making the city centre a more attractive place.

However he added: “Any measures based on a principle of ‘we don’t like cars’ will not have our support.”

He backed improving the bus network and said there is not a need for buses to go straight through the city centre.

Mr Patrick said: “We need to think about the city centre from the perspective of the pedestrian.”

Ensuring people can travel to where work is, was essential. He added: “We want to ensure job opportunities are available to everyone and the bus network must work for those who do not have cars.”