Glasgow council aims to take control of city’s subway system

During Tuesday’s environment committee it was confirmed that legislative change would be required to allow the local authority to run the subway, which is currently in public ownership.

A feasibility study to expand the subway reflected an ambition expressed by the SNP group prior to the 2017 election to develop the system, and that a case might be made for it to be run by the city, rather than a regional body.

It has since been realised that any developments would be a matter for the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and that the council would need to revisit the governance structures for local and regional transport.

The council will now work with Transport Scotland to look at ways of developing the subway while linking it with the new metro system, which aims to create a city wide tram network by 2030.

Labour councillor Matt Kerr said: “I was always sceptical of the plan to explore the feasibility of bringing the subway under the governance of the city.

“I understand the work towards the metro and I can see a strategic fit on that. Did you explore the feasibility of taking the subway and thought that’s too big a job?”

Council officer Andy Waddell explained that there had been some legislative issues which would “forbid” the council taking control of the subway.

He said: “I am really pleased to report that the relationship between the council, SPT and Transport Scotland has greatly improved during the last few years.

“There’s a real spirit of partnership working that exists now, there has been an acknowledgement from all three organisations that the metro is a much needed and credible option.

“It would be appropriate that the subway formed part of the metro network.”

Members agreed that they should look for ways to improve public transport throughout the city.

Chairman councillor Angus Millar said: “When the original strategic plan was written the metro was a concept which some people might have had as a pipe dream but it hadn’t really been fully fleshed out.

“The game has somewhat changed in terms of the future of transport in Glasgow so that’s why the focus is now on the delivery of the metro and scoping that.

“It is important to keep an eye on our subway and the governance arrangements for that and the wider transport arrangements in the city.”