Glasgow subway system to reopen after modernisation works

Glasgow’s subway will reopen on Wednesday morning after being closed for modernisation.

The service closed on July 2 and works were due to be completed by July 31, but the reopening was delayed.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) apologised to passengers and said the delay was due to the “lateness of the contractor engaged to undertake these substantial works”.

The first trains on Wednesday will leave St Enoch and Ibrox (inner circle) at 6.32am. Ibrox (outer circle) will depart at 6.27am.

SPT chief executive Gordon Maclennan said: “I apologise sincerely to all passengers for the delay in return to service.

“The Subway is a vital part of the Glasgow transport network and many passengers rely on it daily to get around. We are very grateful for their patience and support while the works have been ongoing.

“Following the return of the system, our staff have worked round the clock to ensure it is back up and running for our passengers with services resuming tomorrow morning, Wednesday August 10.

“There has been a mammoth effort by our team for the return to service including an exhaustive testing and clean-up operation of our entire system to ensure we provide passengers with a safe and reliable service.

“Passenger safety is paramount and we’re now satisfied the renewal works pass our stringent requirements.”

Work undertaken includes replacements of the ramps and turnouts section of the tunnels where the trains enter and exit the system and the completion of station improvements at Buchanan Street and Govan.

July was chosen for the upgrades as passenger numbers show summer is the quietest time of year, SPT said, and replacement buses following the underground route were put in place.

The work is part of a £288 million modernisation programme involving the introduction of driverless trains by 2021.