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The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
'We are not alone in our disappointment' for Glasgow
Here is a practical example of both national governments supporting a local partnership of business, academia and city council to encourage regional economic growth. It would have been even more cheering if we had arrived home to find that Glasgow and its city region were benefitting from a similar approach in the comprehensive spending review. All it would have taken was a single sentence saying that the UK and Scottish governments would be working together to establish long-term flexible funding deals for Scottish cities to match those already sorted out for Greater Manchester and the West Midlands. No such sentence appeared. Read more: Instead, I found myself reading Chief Secretary of the Treasury, Darren Jones, arguing that in Scotland the decision to "empower the city regions rests firmly with the Scottish Government". If he really believes that, we are at risk of stepping back a decade in time. Eleven years ago, it was the UK and Scottish governments that together announced the £1.3 billion Glasgow City Region Deal. That deal was the first of many in Scotland, each designed in collaboration with local stakeholders to demonstrate how joint working between both governments can initiate real empowerment on the ground. The chamber, senior business leaders and leading academics have all invested time and energy to help create the structures and capabilities of the Glasgow City Region. We did so in the belief that there was good faith in their value being demonstrated by both the UK and Scottish governments. We were encouraged by decisions made by the last UK Government to allocate over £300 million in additional resources to help the city region grow. Read more: The most recent was the announcement of £160m for a 10-year investment zone supporting the growth of advanced manufacturing. The chamber was involved in the process for project selection and there were so many more exciting projects - and in many other industry sectors - that could have been funded had the money been available. We can see the region's growth potential and how it can be unlocked. Over time, we have become a vigorous advocate for regional devolution deals. We believe that many of the projects our members want to see - particularly in skills, infrastructure, and innovation - are best delivered at the regional level. Projects like the Clyde Metro transport system, our three university-led innovation districts for emerging industries, our city centre renewal plan and investment help to grow our airport and our conference centre, all demonstrate the kind of ambition that regional empowerment can unlock. We shouldn't really need to argue the importance of regional devolution deals with the UK Government. It sets out all the reasons in several papers, including its English Devolution White Paper: the UK's low productivity trap, the stagnation of living standards and the unusual economic underperformance of all the UK major cities outside London. The chamber had therefore asked for a devolution deal with long-term funding and greater flexibility, but there is no such deal being proposed for Glasgow – or for any other region in Scotland. Read more: Instead, Glasgow is offered confirmation of the investment zone announced by the previous government, a share in a new UK-wide local growth fund, and support from the National Wealth Fund. These are all welcome but the investment zone had already been announced and the local growth fund looks set to be small once funds have been allocated across the country. It is also unclear if those funds are expected to deliver on old commitments such as that for Greenock town centre. The National Wealth Fund's commitment to a strategic partnership with Glasgow City Region could be more promising, but it is unclear whether there will be any new funds under the control of the regional partnership. If it helps the region attract private finance for projects, it could still prove valuable. However, it appears from the outside to be more like working with a body such as the Scottish National Investment Bank than a genuine devolution deal. Read more: We are not alone in our disappointment. The London-based thinktank the Centre for Cities issued its own report describing Glasgow as the "missing piece in the big cities' jigsaw". Especially worrying is their assessment that the lack of a devolution deal "places Glasgow at risk of falling behind its comparators south of the border". And yes, of course the Scottish Government has a poor track record on regional devolution. So much of the momentum building behind Glasgow City Region has come from UK Government funding programmes. One notable exception was the Clyde Mission - a Scottish Government initiative that promised much but ultimately fizzled out and ended up being passed to the city region with approaching £30m in funding. Otherwise the Scottish Government has undoubtedly been slow to devolve. As one example, the announcement in the programme for government of £2m towards a Glasgow City Region response to maritime industry skills shortages was welcome, but there is a much bigger prize. Passing apprenticeship funding from Skills Development Scotland direct to the regions instead of to the Scottish Funding Council would be much a better long-term aim. Regional devolution has not been the Scottish Government's natural default, so all eyes have tended to fall on the UK Government. If Darren Jones is signalling that momentum on regional devolution is to be stalled until the Scottish Parliamentary elections next May, then sadly, so too the growth potential of Scotland's largest city region may be stalled as well. Stuart Patrick is chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce.
Glasgow Times
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Glasgow Times
Maserati to open new car showroom in Glasgow this month
Maserati is opening a dealership in the city's Southside as part of its new partnership with Arnold Clark. The Italian luxury brand, renowned for its racing heritage, will be based at a showroom in Mossland Drive in Hillington Park. Maserati's Glasgow location will offer both sales and after-sales. READ NEXT: Clyde Metro possible routes and cost known by 2027 Callum Rankin, group brand director at Arnold Clark, said: 'We're proud to have Maserati joining the Arnold Clark franchise. 'This iconic brand represents the pinnacle of Italian luxury and performance, and its arrival allows us to offer our customers an even more exciting and first-class driving experience. 'Maserati's legacy of innovation and growth aligns perfectly with our aims, and we look forward to working with them closely for years to come.' The Maserati range will be on display at the new showroom and forecourt. This includes the mid-size SUV Grecale, available in both petrol and electric form. Glaswegians will also be able to test drive the brand's new GranCabrio as well as the marque's flagship road car range, the MC20 (which has a top speed of 200mph), and the company's iconic model, the four-seater GranTurismo coupe. READ NEXT: 'Exceptional' Glasgow flat with 'stunning' views up for sale Mariangela Del Vecchio, Head of Maserati North Europe, commented: 'I'm delighted to welcome Arnold Clark to the Maserati family. 'They have a hard-earned reputation for high-quality customer service, and we look forward to serving Glasgow and Manchester and their surrounding areas with our beautifully crafted and designed cars, Made in Italy, in the coming months and years.' The brand is popular with celebrities including David Beckham, Sir Elton John, Lionel Messi, and more.
Glasgow Times
05-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Clyde Metro possible routes and cost known by 2027
Consultants are currently developing a case for investment which is seen as an 'essential' step towards providing a 'mass transit' system. Glasgow Labour has claimed the Metro scheme is a 'stalled plan dressed up as progress' — with no start date and no funding committed. READ NEXT:Glasgow's drug consumption centre is working says health secretary Transport spokesman Cllr Saqib Ahmed said: 'Clyde Metro should be Glasgow's next great infrastructure revolution — but right now, it's just another SNP soundbite.' A spokesman for the city's SNP group said the cross-party Glasgow City Region cabinet has allocated £12m to advance the business case, which Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) is progressing. 'That's a considerable amount of spend and effort for a soundbite,' he added. The funding, which will support the development of the case for investment (CFI), is from the City Deal, a more than £1bn infrastructure programme funded by both the UK and Scottish governments. Council officials have said the CFI will identify the funding strategy for 'subsequent stages of the Clyde Metro programme'. READ NEXT:'Don't blame us': Taxis hit back in Glasgow city centre transport row They also said 'one of the key objectives is to improve the sustainable transport access to Glasgow Airport' and this will 'continue to feature as a key priority in all the options we are exploring.' At a council meeting on Tuesday, Cllr Kieran Turner, Labour, asked whether there would be potential routes and costs at the end of the CFI process. An official said: 'Yes, absolutely. At the moment, as part of the initial engagement, we have four network options which were presented. 'Those network options will then get synthesised into a preferred network.' The process will involve deciding on which modes of transport will be included, such as heavy rail or tram, as well as a recommendation on 'what the first move needs to be'. Cllr Turner added: 'Until people start to see something that is a little more concrete, even in terms of option selection, there are still going to be questions in our constituents' minds around if any of this is ever going to happen. 'Is lots of money just getting spent on consultants? And will anything come of this?' The official said there will be answers at the end of the case for investment, including potential timelines. It will be 'absolutely critical' for securing 'a commitment from government to give funding', he said. Public consultation on the project could be held in spring or summer next year. After the meeting, Cllr Ahmed said: 'Communities have waited too long for transformation. Instead, they've been left behind by a government more focused on branding than building. 'Glasgow Labour will keep fighting for real investment in our transport network.' Labour want a commitment from the Scottish Government to fund phase one of the Metro project and a 'clear, costed and deliverable' construction timeline. The SNP spokesman said Clyde Metro is 'an agreed national transport priority'. 'Labour's failure to deliver the type of modern transport system developed by our peers during their time in power in Glasgow is why we have decades of missed opportunities to catch up on. 'If Labour councillors want to start being constructive perhaps they can insist from their party colleagues that we received a share of the £15bn the Chancellor is allocating to English cities for major transport projects.'
Glasgow Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Has a tram network been ruled out of Glasgow's Clyde Metro project?
The Clyde Metro project was first mentioned in 2017 by the Connectivity Commission investigating the future of transport in Glasgow. Eight years later, people in the city are no clearer about what this could be or whether it will actually happen than they were then. Last week, Mott MacDonald was appointed consultants for the next stage, described as 'helping to determine a scope and timetable for the delivery of Clyde Metro, including routes, destinations and specific modes'. READ NEXT: Clyde Metro latest update as firm appointed for next stage The Glasgow Times asked Strathclyde Partnership for Transport what Clyde Metro will look like and when we might see it. Valerie Davidson spoke to the Glasgow Times to answer some questions we still have about Clyde Metro. At the moment, the exact details have still to be decided. We do know one thing. It will not be a new tram network. SPT, Glasgow City Council, and Transport Scotland issued a joint 'Position statement' on Clyde Metro. It said Clyde Metro could include: 'Conversion of parts of the Heavy Rail network to Metro Rail. 'Extensions to those converted Metro Rail routes to serve new destinations. "Creation of new Light Metro lines. The statement also listed a number of things Clyde Metro is not, including: 'A 'tram project' as it encompasses a wide variety of modes. 'An individual route / standalone transport infrastructure project, as it constitutes a long-term programme and wider network." It said Clyde Metro is not 'being considered in isolation – it needs to be considered alongside other existing modes as well as the transformational impacts it can deliver.' Ms Davidson explained where the project is at the moment. She said: 'There is a process we have to follow. 'First, identify the case for change. That's been done. Then, identify the range of options. That's the stage we are in at the moment. 'It all contributes to the business case. Metro is a programme of activities, of different projects.' The Mott McDonald work will be complete by 2026/27. She added: 'That's the next big date, to have the case for investment and why you would do this? Is this buildable?.' Ms Davidson said there are four 'corridors' of work, considering 'What are we trying to connect and why?'. She added: 'It will decide a preferred outcome and what to do first. 'Heavy rail or tram or tram/train. Anything is possible.' Asked about the joint position, which appeared to rule out a tram, she said: 'It hasn't come out as one of the preferred options at this stage.' However, some new modes could be created. Ms Davidson said: 'Until we get through the process, we're careful not to say what and where. 'There's a difference between Metro and tram. It's to do with types of vehicle, capacity and frequency. 'Metro and tram are marginally different.' A new route connecting Glasgow Airport was said to be the first route of Metro. Ms Davidson said: 'We are obviously looking at what's the priority and that is part of the work we are doing just now. 'Connections to the airport area are still in there.' The next step is for the case for investment and preferred options to be brought forward. Ms Davidson said: 'We will present the work to our own partnership board, also to Glasgow City Region and also Transport Scotland. 'All three bodies are working in different capacities. If you are talking about who eventually approves it, we would be seeking the agreement of all three.'
Glasgow Times
25-04-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
This key feature has been axed from George Square plans
The initial plans had included a feature of fountains coming up from the ground and images showed children playing among the jets. Hoardings are to go up this month and work is to start in June before statues are removed to be restored. READ NEXT:Cost of George Square revamp is revealed as new contract signed The public was asked for opinions on what the square should look like, and a water feature was a new addition that was considered and included in the early design ideas. (Image: GCC) READ NEXT:Clyde Metro latest update as firm appointed to carry out investment work Now lack of budget means it has been removed from the tender and will no longer be part of the design In June last year The council issued an update on the plans which stated: 'The works in George Square will deliver high-quality stone throughout the Square; informal 'play' areas for children in sensory gardens in the eastern areas; a water feature; a raised lawn platform; bespoke sheltered seating; and feature lighting.' A new update to go before the contracts and property committee next week states: 'The work on George Square will deliver high-quality stone throughout; informal 'play' areas for children in sensory gardens in the eastern areas; a raised lawn platform; new trees species will be planted to add to the existing Norway Maple and Cherry trees in the Square; new seating to add to the remembrance benches; and feature lighting.' It has been revealed the water feature plan has been scrapped. In the paper to be discussed next week to approve the £20m contract states: 'Whilst there was an aspiration in early design stages to include a water feature as part of the redevelopment plans, this was removed from the tender documents to ensure that there was sufficient project budget to undertake the core works. 'Given the value of the landed tender for the Block C project, there is insufficient project budget remaining to include the water feature and it no longer forms part of the project scope."
