The Glasgow Connectivity Commission has released a report which details transformative plans worth £10bn to regenerate the city’s transport system
Over the next 20 years, the Glasgow Connectivity Commission wants around £10bn to be spent on a range of measures to transform the city’s transport capacity.
The commission, which was set up by Glasgow City Council 18 months ago, wants the metro network to rejuvenate abandoned rail routes, convert heavy rail to light rail and develop on-street trams.
The Glasgow Connectivity Commission proposes:
- Transport Scotland to take lead responsibility for the development of the Glasgow Metro, Glasgow Central HS2 terminus and Queen Street/Central Station tunnel.
- Glasgow City Council presses ahead with plans to build a roof over the M8 at Charing Cross, creating a new pedestrian space outside the Mitchell Library.
- The repurposing of Glasgow’s roads grid to prioritise pedestrians, active travel and public transport should be aligned with and support the council’s policy to repopulate the city centre.
- Glasgow City Council actively engages with the Vacant and Derelict Land Commission to bring back dead spaces back into productive use.
- Scottish and UK Governments to consider how to change the way we pay for road use to accommodate the shift towards electric and autonomous vehicles.
Within the report, chair of the Glasgow connectivity commission, Professor David Begg, said: “Our proposals to develop a Glasgow Metro, connect the city’s two main city rail terminals and prepare Glasgow Central Station for HS2 do just that.
“We have also looked at the different agencies with responsibility for transport in Glasgow and considered whether this complex web of governance was working efficiently. We think not, and have recommended an evolution of existing institutions, with a particular focus on strengthening regional governance.
“While we believe this will address some of the structural governance problems, a cultural shift is also required to ensure the relevant agencies collaborate better.”
Professor Begg added: “We do not underestimate the challenges required to implement this report’s ambitious proposals. But we also believe they are affordable, deliverable and necessary if Scotland wants to achieve its goal of fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
“We urge all agencies concerned with the future of this great city to work together to achieve these aims.”
