On Track for a More Connected Govanhill? Plans for the Clyde Metro
Before the end of the year, the Scottish Government should be publishing their delivery plan for the future transport proposals — including the vast overhaul of the metro system. We delve into the proposed changes and how they could revolutionise Govanhill’s connections to the city.
Clyde Metro Proposals | Source: Clyde Metro Twitter
By Jack Howse & Ben Cave
Talk of the Glasgow Subway being extended is as almost as old as the 126 year old transportation network itself. Yet now for the first time since it opened in 1896, there is a very real possibility that the famously oval-shaped route could see its map change to a more spider-like cartography, akin to that of most other major subway systems.
This is because the idea of a subway extension has been included in the draft of the Scottish Government’s second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2), which ‘recognises the key role that transport has in reducing inequalities, delivering inclusive economic growth, improving our health and wellbeing, and tackling the climate emergency’. The 20 year plan also coincides with the Scottish Government’s promise to have net zero emissions by 2045.
For many in Govanhill, the subway is a transport system just out of reach – a ‘close but no cigar’ system. The nearest station is Bridge Street, a 30 minute walk or 10 minute bus journey from the Victoria Road entrance of Queen’s Park. This relatively long walk or the expense of a bus ticket for a 10 minute journey means this link is often not considered.
One Govanhill resident said:
“The subway system fails to serve people outside the city centre and the west end. It isn't accessible from any of the train stations between Glasgow Central and the Southside. Combined with the unreliability of buses it can make public transport totally unviable. For many, cars are the only viable option, undermining the city's pledges to emission reduction, jeopardising the health of local people, reducing social equity as well as access to work or services, and undoubtedly pushing more people into poverty with the continued rise in fuel costs.”
For Southside residents wanting to reach the east and west of the city, journeys usually involve either unpredictable waiting times at bus stops or expensive transfers between different modes of transportation as a different ticket is needed for each bus, train and subway ride taken.
During COP26, an all-in-one ticket that could be used on trains, buses and the subway was introduced for delegates. However this hasn’t been rolled out, much to the dismay of many. In one positive move, the SNP introduced free bus travel for all under-22s at the beginning of this year. But while free bus travel for young people and an all-in-one ticket would make the subway system more accessible to Southside residents, the recommendations of the STPR2 consultation are far-more ambitious.
The proposals for the Clyde Metro are convoluted and somewhat vague. However a close-knit subculture of Glasgow’s Twitter users have unpicked the proposals. From their research, two main plans from the Clyde Metro proposals have been identified that will hugely benefit the connectivity of the Southside’s transportation network.
The first point of interest, and perhaps the one with the biggest impact would see Pollokshields East station turn into a major transportation hub. A new line would be opened from the station heading east and the station would also connect up to the existing subway station of West Street. Bellgrove, a station in Dennistoun, would only be 10 minutes away. Those wanting to go west could travel one stop to West Street and then change directly onto the existing underground system; the total journey would take approximately 15 minutes. Currently, both these trips take around 40 minutes or more on public transport, so it would slash journey times by about 75 percent.
Pollokshields East currently links via rail to Queen’s Park and Crosshill, making it far easier for many Govanhillians to access these new routes. The train routes running through these stations would also be converted into a metro-style system which would use the subway carriages we are used to seeing underground. These would be far quieter than current ScotRail carriages. However, the main change would be the increased frequency of trains which would better connect up Govanhill with Shawlands and Pollokshields meaning less rainy dashes across Queen’s Park.
Read more: Transforming public transport to fight climate change
These two proposals would benefit Govanhill by linking the area up with existing metro networks to the west as well as with new routes heading east. The plans would also see this whole network being made into a subway system meaning one ticket (currently priced at £1.75) would work on all these lines and all transfers on the system. The proposals would also mean a far greater number of services running through Govanhill stations, making up for those that have been lost during the pandemic (currently there is only one train per hour in the evening through Queen’s Park).
While these may sound tantalising, just how realistic are the proposals? And how soon can we expect changes? If current railway projects are anything to go by, we are a long way off. HS2, the high speed line from Glasgow to London, and Crossrail, a new tube line across London, have been marred in controversy due to spiralling costs and missed deadlines. They have formed a major part of the London-centric culture wars imbued in Westminster politics.
However, the Clyde Metro plans are arguably a lot less complex and expensive than HS2 and Crossrail, as much of it involves reopening already-built but disused railway lines. Similarities can be seen with the metro network in the Newcastle-Upon-Tyne area where train lines were converted into a subway network, proving to be highly-effective and cost-efficient.
The Scottish Government also has a relatively good track record of successful transportation projects since devolution in 2004. Transport Scotland has overseen the opening of the M74 extension, the New Queensferry Crossing and the first (albeit notorious) Edinburgh tram line, as well as the extensive electrification works of Edinburgh – Glasgow routes.
Following consultation, the final STPR2 Report and the basis for development of the Delivery Plan is set to be published by the end of the year. And while the plans included may still be a way off being implemented, they do seem to be being seriously considered. In the meantime, quick but impactful changes can be made to the transportation system including all-in-one tickets for Glasgow’s transportation network. Let’s hope that the new Southside Central council representatives will prioritise improving public transport for the area.