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Sawers says
“Modern Subway a Must”
April, 2009
SPT’s plans for the modernisation of the Subway have been backed by one of Scotland’s most influential business organisations.
Lesley Sawers, chief executive of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI), called for investment in the Subway system in an interview with SPT Express.
Dr Sawers, a former chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said the Subway provides a vital role in moving people around the city.
She told SPT Express: “I think everyone recognises that there has been massive underinvestment, not just in the Subway, but in infrastructure in Glasgow - particularly when it is Scotland’s largest city.
“However, we are in challenging times and we can’t always look to government to be able to raise the money we need to improve our services and improve our infrastructure.”
Dr Sawers said the SCDI would be keen to encourage and support innovative solutions.
She said: “In Delhi, money from selling or leasing land above ground has been invested in improving their subway system. I think there are lessons we could learn in Glasgow from that.”
Nearer home, the Danes have built an entirely new network for the Copenhagen Metro using the same land sale mechanism to fund developments.
Dr Sawers called for business organisations in Glasgow to work with SPT to ensure the Subway receives much-needed investment, particularly with the city set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2014.
“It is important that we have a first class system that can fully showcase the best of Scottish engineering and Scottish transport in time for 2014,” she said.
“I actually think in terms of the Subway and the contribution modernisation could make to the West of Scotland’s economy, we could justify that investment in its own right. But in order to showcase the Commonwealth Games in 2014, we’ve got to make sure we’ve got a world-class Subway and public transport system operating in the city.”
Dr Sawers spoke to SPT Express at the SCDI’s recent annual forum in St Andrews.
SPT chief executive Ron Culley also argued for high speed rail links at the Connecting Scotland event.
He revealed that a recent SPT study showed that a fast, efficient and green Maglev (magnetic levitation) rail system would be as cost efficient as conventional high speed rail (wheel on steel).
First Minister Alex Salmond and Jim Murphy, Secretary of State for Scotland, also addressed conference delegates.
Full details of the event can be found at www.connecting-scotland.com