Strategy Aims to Lift Scottish Network

By Anonymous

A 1 billion strategy to improve west Scotland’s transport network over the next 20 years was unveiled last week.

Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) and West of Scotland Transport Partnership, a joint committee of local authority representatives, wrote the strategy for an area with a population of more than 2.4 million.

The strategy sets out proposals for short, medium and long-term regional transport improvements. The transport network is unable to serve west Scotland’s changing land-use patterns, it warns.

The document proposes to promote regional growth by improving access to economic hubs and calls for public transport improvements and a reduction in road congestion on key networks. It urges transport planners to improve access to jobs, health care and community facilities to promote social inclusion.

The first developments to be completed will include a railway station at Kelvindale in Glasgow’s West End and a 35 million project to provide three new stations at Larkhall, Merryton and Chatelherault in Lanarkshire.

SPT chairman Alistair Watson said: “The challenge that lies ahead is to ensure that the investments deliver economic efficiencies, reduced congestion and better accessibility.”

SPT intends to submit a private bill promoting a rail link to Glasgow Airport to the Scottish parliament later this year.

Joint Transport Strategy can be viewed via www.PlanningResource.co.uk.

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Copyright Haymarket Business Publications Ltd. Sep 9, 2005