Glasgow subway closing down in July for 'essential works'

Glasgow's subway will close for four weeks from Saturday to allow modernisation works to take place.

Published 1st Jul 2016

Glasgow's subway will close for four weeks from Saturday to allow modernisation works to take place.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) said the "essential works'' being carried out between July 2 and 31 involve a full replacement of the section in the tunnels known as ''ramps and turnouts''.

July was chosen for the work as passenger numbers show summer is the quietest time of year, SPT said.

A replacement bus service, which will follow the underground route, will run for passengers during the four-week period.

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

SPT chairman Jonathan Findlay said: "To date, SPT has achieved all of the modernisation works without any disruption to passenger service, which is a considerable achievement.

"We have now reached a crucial stage in the modernisation plan that requires us - for reasons of safety for everyone involved - to suspend services for a short time during July.

"We apologise for any inconvenience to all our passengers but our full replacement bus service will mean that they can still get to where they want to go.

"All our passengers are encouraged to turn up at their designated stop, allow a little longer for the journey, and leave the rest to us.''

The replacement buses will include additional direct services to the city centre from key stations such as Bridge Street, Kelvinbridge and Shields Road.

Fares will be £1 for a single journey, £2 for a return and £2.50 for an all day ticket. Child fares are 50p single and £1 return.

Services will be every five minutes at peak times and every ten minutes during off-peak.