Glasgow’s entire 10.5km subway system will be closed for four weeks over the summer to allow engineers to carry out an essential stage of a £228M modernisation programme, it was announced this week.

Subway train services will not be operating on the city’s circular metro route – which carries 40,000 passengers each day – from 2 July until 1 August.

Works to be undertaken during the closure include the full replacement of the Subway’s ‘ramps and turnouts’ system. This section of tunnel connects a surface depot at Broomloan with the metro system, and was installed almost 40 years ago. It must now be replaced to ensure a reliable Subway service for future operation.

The modernisation programme also includes the upgrade and replacement of trains, signalling, platforms and stations throughout the Glasgow Subway system.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) operates the Subway. Its 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.”

During the closure a comprehensive replacement bus services will be provided for Subway passengers. Mr Findlay added: “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.”

(Photo: Magnus Hagdorn and licenced for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence)