Centre for Sustainable Solutions

About the Informing Clyde Metro Project

Glasgow has the most ambitious net zero goal in the UK, with a key priority being reducing emissions from transport. The Clyde Metro initiative is a key sustainable transport project supported by the Scottish Government and in alignment with national and regional transport strategies. Over a 30-year period, this multi-billion investment aims to improve connectivity for 1.5 million individuals in Glasgow, serving as a comprehensive and integrated public transport system, offering a sustainable alternative to private car usage.

The Clyde Metro is currently in the detailed planning phase, building the Case for Investment, presenting a timely opportunity to contribute to a scheme that will impact Glasgow communities and future generations.

The proposed project is centred around 5 interlinking objectives:

1. To identify what cities have successfully planned and implemented a mass transit system and what can Glasgow learn from them.

2. To understand how other cities have successfully integrated active travel and mass transit to enable safe and multi-modal journeys.

3. To explore the perceived facilitators and barriers to engagement in active travel and usage of Clyde Metro by under-represented population subgroups.

4. To explore what are the main arguments against the Clyde Metro and what factors may help to increase support of the scheme.

5. To summarise evidence of the health economic impact of mass transit schemes and to develop a conceptual model showing the potential costs and outcomes associated with the development of Clyde Metro.

 

The Science of the Clyde Metro Consultations

This project will tie in with GALLANT Stream 1's work on creating the Glasgow Doughnut and writing "thriving" definitions for the city. As highlighted in the Doughnut framework, targeting transport has multiple ecological and social co-benefits. The Clyde Metro will enable communities to thrive, such as through facilitating connected and accessible communities, quieter streets to enhance wellbeing and air quality, and reducing social exclusion by improving access to education and employment opportunities.

This project builds upon and has synergies with activities within the GALLANT Active Travel team. It complements their work to improve health, wellbeing, social connectedness, and air quality, and reduce car journeys and carbon dioxide emissions. Currently, the Active Travel team is focused on walking, cycling, and wheeling, whereas the proposed project extends this focus to consider multi-modal mass transit.