9 March 2011
Glasgow Subway modernisation
Welcome investment in the long term viability of a key Scottish transport asset
Transform Scotland [1] today (Wednesday 9th) welcomed the Scottish Government announcement of support for the Glasgow Subway modernisation.
Calum McCallum, Transform Scotland's Glasgow campaigner said:
"We wholeheartedly welcome today's announcement of Scottish Government support for the Glasgow Subway modernisation.
"The Subway plays a vital transport role in the Glasgow city region and beyond. Commitment to the upgrade represents an investment in the long term viability of one of Scotland's key transport assets. With the last major upgrade having taken place over 30 years ago, this programme is now necessary to ensure the day-to-day reliability of the system.
"Although this represents the kind of investment we would like to see, these kinds of programmes are sadly rare in Scotland. The Scottish Government has indicated that it would rather spend an unnecessary £2 billion on a Second Forth Road Bridge rather than adequately fund maintenance of the existing road network to the benefit of everyone. Now is the time for the Transport Scotland to re-focus our transport policy on making the most of our existing assets over building flashy new roads which will only increase transport's carbon footprint."
ENDS
Notes to Editors
[1] Transform Scotland is the national sustainable transport alliance, bringing together rail, bus and shipping operators, local authorities, national environment and conservation groups, businesses and local transport groups - see <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/members.aspx> for details.
[2] 'Glasgow subway upgrade on track', Transport Scotland, 09/03/11: <http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/news/Glasgow-Subway-upgrade>
[3] Transform Scotland's evidence to the Independent Budget Review on maintaining transport assets was accepted by the IBR Panel in its final report (see p. 128 of <http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/919/0102410.pdf>):
“[P]rioritisation of the key strands of capital expenditure, including essential maintenance, should be guided by national priorities and coordinated to ensure that maximum strategic coherence and public value is derived.”
END OF NEWS RELEASE