Glasgow Metro Phase One Advances, Phase Two Launching This Autumn

The publication of phase one of Scotland’s second Strategic Transport Projects Review has advanced planning for the Glasgow Metro, which would add a new layer of public transport across the city and nearby council areas including East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire and North Lanarkshire.

The review supports the National Transport Strategy goals and sets short-term national investment priorities such as shifting freight to rail, expanding low-carbon options and reallocating road space for buses. Phase two of the review, originally due after an earlier delay linked to the pandemic, is now scheduled for release in the autumn.

Timeline for Glasgow residents

Residents in areas with currently limited connections stand to see the first practical effects once corridors are confirmed and funding flows through the 2021-22 transport allocation. The draft budget released on 28 January sets aside £3.2 billion for transport overall, of which £1.6 billion is earmarked for rail and bus services.

Proposed routes would target zones with poor existing links, giving faster access to employment sites, education campuses, retail centres and leisure facilities. Integration with Glasgow Central and Queen Street stations plus Glasgow Airport is listed among the early objectives, allowing seamless transfers for commuters who currently rely on buses or cars.

Next steps in the review process

Further definition of the Glasgow Metro network, which may combine bus rapid transit, tram or light rail on new or reopened alignments, will follow the autumn publication. Local advocates note that decisions on mode and exact alignments will determine when construction begins and when daily travel times for residents start to shorten.

The Rail Journal report on the review provides the latest public details on how the Glasgow component fits into the wider programme of national transport investment priorities.