SNP Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow, Bob Doris, has hailed the recent announcement that the Scottish Government has backed SPT's business case for Subway modernisation in Glasgow.

Mr Doris - a long time campaigner for Glasgow Subway modernisation - tabled an inspired parliamentary question, asking the Scottish Government to make an announcement on the future of Glasgow's Subway. The parliamentary question follows a series of meetings held by Mr Doris, who has been actively lobbying Scottish Government Ministers to secure support for an upgrade of Glasgow's underground system.

Commenting, SNP MSP for Glasgow, Bob Doris, said: "This is great news for Glasgow. The Subway hasn't been upgraded since the 1970s and with so many Glaswegians using it on a daily basis, we can see it's in desperate need of repair.

"Last December saw 100,000 extra passengers rely on the Subway, as a result of overground transport grinding to a halt. However, the Subway kept Glasgow moving during the adverse weather. This shows why investment in the popular Glasgow transport icon is desperately needed and I am pleased the Scottish Government is providing this support.

"Today SPT have been given the green light to take its business plan to investors with a copper bottomed assurance that the SNP Government will back subway modernisation financially. It is also a signal to other investors that the Scottish Government believe the business plan is sound.

"During my own involvement with both SPT and the Scottish Government, I have been struck by the positive, can do attitude of both parties. Today we have seen that rewarded.

"Ongoing Scottish Government support is already assisting SPT to refurbish stations and introduce integrated ticketing, which is also long overdue.

"Today's announcement is just the latest in a long list of projects that the SNP Government is investing in across Glasgow. In Government, the SNP is already funding the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the new M74 extension and the building of the new Southern General Hospital. These are all great examples of capital investment and demonstrate the SNP's commitment to Glasgow".

Notes:

1. Previous press releases from Mr Doris on his Subway modernisation campaign can be found here and here.

Mr Doris met with Stewart Stevenson, then Minister for Transport, to lobby for Subway modernisation on 9th August 2010

Mr Doris met with Keith Brown, Minister for Transport, to lobby for Subway modernisation on 3rd February 2011

Mr Doris met with John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, to press the Government following the publication of SPT's business case on 24th February 2011

2. Mr Doris' parliamentary question, answered this morning, was as follows:

Bob Doris (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to recent questions on the subject, whether it is now in a position to make an announcement on Strathclyde Partnership for Transport's funding proposals for the modernisation of the Glasgow subway.(S3W-40350)

Mr Keith Brown MSP: The Scottish Government reaffirms its long term commitment to helping make the Subway modernisation happen, through a substantial overall capital contribution, helping SPT to raise funds from other sources. We are assured that SPT's enhanced modernisation case, including changes to working practices, is viable and will, therefore, help provide capital support which includes delivery of a smartcard ticketing system linked to wider integrated ticketing; new rolling stock and signalling with automation; and refurbished stations with improved accessibility including escalator replacement.