Car plan pilot

Shawlands residents living near Minard Road, would be offered the chance to pilot a ground-breaking project devised by Glasgow city council.

Before April 30 they are invited to offer opinions about the proposal to GCC corporate services, room 84 at the City Chambers (G2 1DU).

The projected Glasgow car club would let people hire transport close to home for as little as 5 an hour.

The scheme could also reduce the number of vehicles on the road while slashing ownership costs.

A road order for the club is expected to be agreed and a contract for the tender issued in May, with parking bays introduced during the summer.

Gordon Macfie (25) owns a car but commutes daily by bus to Glasgow.

He told The Extra: "I live about ten minutes walk from Minard Road and any way to ease congestion from the southside to the city centre can only be a good thing.

"However, the popularity of the scheme will depend on the rewards -- use of bus lanes for cars with four or more passengers or potential tax savings to members".

A GCC spokeswoman described the proposed scheme as "a way to retain the flexibility of private car ownership without many of the issues and costs involved".

Bookings would be made by phone, text or online and could be extended mid-journey using an in-car computer.

Members would pay an annual fee to book a vehicle and then for the time used, usually paying by the hour.

The spokeswoman also told The Extra: "Other car club operators have helped us and this information, combined with our on-street surveys, has helped determine suitable bay locations.

"As the scheme develops, and if demand is there, we'll consider other locations".

Director of policy Neil Greig of the Institute of Advanced Motorists agrees that car clubs in high-density inner-city area such as Shawlands "can offer a useful extra transport choice for local people".

He told The Extra: "If you do a low mileage every year or don't need a car on a regular basis they will offer you a substantial saving on the cost of owning and running a car".

But Mr Greig was doubtful that a car club scheme "will see any appreciable impact on congestion levels — or the availability of parking".