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pounds 300M TUNNEL VISION(Daily Record Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge) A pounds 300MILLION revamp for Scotland's only underground railway will be unveiled this month. Transport chiefs say Glasgow's subway, which was the third in the world when it opened in 1886, is in need of major work. Improvements could mean the system may run beyond its current closing time of 11.30pm - and be extended beyond its current route Strathclyde Partnership for Transport chairman Councillor Alistair Watson said yesterday they would reveal their blueprint later this month. He added: "Our plans will be the most ambitious investment in transport infrastructure this country has ever seen." The hope is that a modernised system would need less upkeep, which would cut costs and eliminate the need for constant maintenance work. SPT chief executive Ron Culley said: "Glasgow's subway is the third oldest in the world - and it's showing its age. "It is creaking at the seams and needs considerable investment for it to continue to serve the people of Glasgow. At the moment, the subway has to close when it does each night simply to allow our maintenance teams to carry out the work needed to allow it to reopen the following morning. "Our plans could change that and give Glasgow the network that it deserves for the 21st century." Any extension is likely to be eastward and into other parts of the city centre, using old rail tunnels and new excavation work. But it is likely to depend on Glasgow's bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games succeeding. The subway's last major upgrade began in 1977 and it reopened in its present form in 1980. It still uses the tunnels and stations first constructed in Victorian times. Other innovations being looked at include fitting wi-fi technology in the network to allow mobile phone and internet use on the trains. Watson added: "My vision is that Glasgow is now pitching itself at the premier league of European cities. "We need a 21st century transport network - and I think an up-to-date subway system is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly way of moving large numbers of people about quickly and efficiently. "We can also look at expanding the network for the very first time. "Everyone at SPT is up for the challenge." The blueprint for the subway's future will follow the findings of a study due by the end of this month by engineers WS Atkins on possible station refurbishment and rolling-stock improvements. Copyright 2007 . Scottish Record & Sunday Mail Limited. |