The Scottish Government today reaffirmed its commitment to help with plans to modernise the Glasgow Subway.

Finance Secretary John Swinney has agreed to make a substantial capital contribution to support Strathclyde Partnership for Transport’s (SPT) modernisation proposals. This is a major step forward in progressing SPT’s proposals and will help SPT to raise additional funds from other sources.

Mr Swinney said: “I’m delighted to announce today that following careful consideration of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport’s outline business case for modernising the Subway, the Scottish Government has agreed to provide a substantial capital contribution to enable SPT to progress the plans.

“We believe this announcement when combined with the Scottish Government’s ongoing capital grant provides sufficient reassurance for SPT to raise funds from other sources and progress with the subway modernisation now."

“We recognise the central role the subway plays in the economic life of Glasgow and Scotland by helping people go about their business effectively, providing vital connections around the city and making onward connections. It’s role in providing a resilient form of transport was also demonstrated during the recent severe weather.

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“SPT’s long term modernisation proposals will include new trains, new automated signals, refurbished stations with improved accessibility and smartcard ticketing – all essential upgrades to make Glasgow’s subway fit for the 21st century," he continued.

“My officials have worked closely with SPT for some time and there is clear merit in the outline business case. It is important, at this early stage that SPT is given every possible reassurance. That is why we have reaffirmed our longer term commitment to helping realise the Glasgow subway modernisation and have put a marker down that our intention is to make a substantial capital contribution to the overall construction costs.”

SPT’s modernisation programme will build on an already impressive portfolio of transport upgrades in Glasgow being delivered by the Scottish Government through Transport Scotland including the soon to open M74 Completion scheme - which will see enormous improvements in traffic and congestion in and around the city, and the M80 Stepps to Haggs upgrade which will not only improve traffic flows on that stretch of new motorway but deliver faster journey times between Glasgow and Stirling.

Transport Scotland is also progressing a scheme to complete the M8 between Baillieston and Newhouse and also develop key sections of the M73 and M74, bringing benefits for businesses, motorists and the environment along the central Scotland motorway network.

Also, major investment continues in rail improvements benefitting Glasgow including the recently opened £300m Airdrie-Bathgate link, the ongoing Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvements Programme and major improvements to rolling stock and services in Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Inverclyde and Ayshire.

(GK/KMcA)