Glasgow’s £40m Fastlink transport scheme has been given the go ahead by the Scottish Government.
Today it has been confirmed that £40m will be allocated to the
project, which runs from the city centre to key venues along the
banks of the River Clyde.
Government ministers had said for the last two years they would
make a contribution, but were awaiting the final business case from
SPT before an official decision was made.
The final route proposed by SPT will include both the major rail
stations and bus station in the city centre and out to the SECC on
the north bank of the Clyde and across the 'squinty bridge' to the
new Southern General
Hospital on the south.
Plans remain for an extension to the Riverside Museum and to
Braehead, and discussions are being held with Renfrewshire Council,
but SPT would have to find the cash, estimated at another £20m, for
that to go ahead at a later date.
Revealing the findung, deputy First Minister and Cities Minister,
Nicola Sturgeon, said: "I am delighted to be able to confirm the
Scottish Government's £40 million funding contribution for this
vital Glasgow project.
"Fastlink will make a real difference to the quality of public
transport links in the area as well as provide real economic
development opportunities for the many communities along the
route.
"It will also provide much better access to the healthcare
services at the new South Glasgow Hospital Campus site, and provide
another vital transport option for the Commonwealth Games.
"Having received the final business case from SPT and subject to
continued reassurance on SPT's work as it develops during the
detailed planning and design of the project, our contribution gives
the green light to this important public transport
initiative."
The final business case specified the route from Buchanan Bus
Station to Queen Street Station and Central Station, along the
Boomielaw to the SECC, branching off and going over the Clyde Arc
'Squinty bridge' and on to the hospital.
It is hoped the new dedicated busway will make jobs and services
at the hospital and along the route more accessible.
Source:
Evening Times - Green light for £40m Fastlink