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MSPs Head Underground in City Centre
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
SNP MSPs recently put on their hard hats and safety boots, and headed underground to see the work of the Glasgow Subway nightshift at first hand.
Bosses at SPT - owners of the Subway - organised the twilight trip to show the politicians just how much maintenance needs to be carried out on the aging system.
Every night when the famous Clockwork Orange stops running for the day, teams of skilled workers carry out essential work to keep the system safe, and prevent breakdowns during the busy daytime rush. David Wallace, Director of Operations at the Subway, also told the group of Nationalist MSPs about possible refurbishment plans for the underground train network.
The group were Glasgow MSPs Sandra White, Bill Kidd and Bashir Ahmad, Cunninghame North MSP Kenny Gibson and his wife Patricia, councillor for Greater Pollok. The visit began at the Broomloan train maintenance depot before the politicians headed down the tunnels and onto the tracks. While most people above ground were getting ready for bed, Subway engineers were just starting work - this time making vital repairs to the track electricity supply.
Speaking after the visit, MSP Kenny Gibson told SPT Express, "I'm very excited at the prospects for the future of the Subway. What this visit brought home to me was how Glasgow would definitely struggle if we didn't have that Subway."
The tour was part of SPT's ongoing campaign for increased funds for Subway improvements. Politicians Patrick Harvie from the Green Party, Liberal Democrat Robert Brown, Labour's Patricia Fergusson, James Kelly, and Pauline McNeill took part in a similar visit late last year.
James Kelly, MSP for Rutherglen, commented: "I've always been impressed by the Subway as quick and cheap way to get around Glasgow. However, with much of the existing system dating back to the 1890s, there is a great deal more maintenance required than I had appreciated."
Subway chiefs hope to bring the system up to date using the latest technology and more comfortable trains ahead of the Commonwealth Games in 2014.