A Scottish Government review into transport infrastructure has suggested they proceed with plans for a ‘Clyde Metro’ system.
And that could lead to high-speed rail links connecting Renfrewshire with Glasgow and key hubs such as hospitals, major education facilities, employment centres, retail hubs and major leisure/sports facilities.
The strategic transport projects review 2, published earlier this month, recommends the government work with local partners to make the project a possibility, as well as setting out 44 other projects to improve transport options in Scotland.
The Clyde Metro system would “include one of, or a combination of, bus rapid transit, tram, light rail and metro rail”, states the report.
It would see a railway line established between Glasgow Airport and Paisley – with connections ongoing to Erskine, Barrhead, Clydebank and Dalmuir in West Dunbartonshire, and Glasgow.
The review states: “By integrating with the region’s current bus and heavy rail networks, as well as links with active travel, it would provide much improved connectivity between the city and the surrounding communities, and between the communities themselves.
“This would tackle deprivation issues in the region and encourage a switch from private car use to public transport and other more sustainable travel options.”
A review into the country’s future transport infrastructure was commissioned in 2019 that would set out plans for the next 20 years.
The review will feed into the national transport strategy.
The aims of the review are to “enhance accessibility across Scotland for residents, visitors and businesses; create better connectivity with sustainable, smart and cleaner transport options; and to highlight the vital contribution that transport investment can play in enabling and sustaining Scotland’s economic growth”.
For the purpose of the STPR2, Scotland has been split into regional groupings: Argyll and Bute, Ayrshire and Arran, Edinburgh and South East Scotland, Forth Valley, Glasgow City Region, Highlands and Islands, North East Scotland, the Scottish Borders, Shetland Islands, South West Scotland and Tay Cities.
Ross Greer, Scottish Greens MSP for West Scotland, welcomed the STPR2 recommendations.
He said: “Since the Scottish Greens joined the Scottish Government, we’ve been serious about delivering massive investment in our public transport network, making it easier for people to choose the train or bus and leave their car at home.
“The recent announcement that peak-time rail fares will be removed from next September is a clear example of that.
“To choose the train, though, we must bring lines far closer to many of our communities and make services on existing lines more regular and reliable.
“That’s exactly what the hugely ambitious Clyde Metro project will achieve. A project of this scale will take a few decades from start to finish, but I am excited that we are now getting started.”
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