Posted 9th February 2010 | 2 Comments
Freight trams envisaged for Glasgow
A NEW plan for sustainable transport in Glasgow includes a proposal to run trams in the city centre for freight as well as passengers. A similar scheme was attempted in Amsterdam but failed last year, and the plan's authors have suggested that this was because there were too few restrictions on road lorries in the Dutch capital to give trams a competitive edge.
The plan, 'Sustainable Glasgow', has been produced jointly by Glasgow City Council and the University of Strathclyde. It covers many environmental topics in a bid to deal with the effects of a changing climate, but its transport proposals include a city centre tramway linked to a dedicated bus route along the Clyde Waterfront which could also be later converted to light rail.
It is, however, the suggestion that city centre trams could be used to replace lorries making deliveries which is unusual. Urban tramways have not been used to carry freight in Britain for many years, although the former Glasgow Corporation Tramways, which closed in 1962, were among those that did, sometimes using standard railway wagons.
The report says :‘The potential for a mixed use passenger and freight tram system in the centre of Glasgow should be explored. This would initially operate primarily in the pedestrianised areas of the city – thus reducing traffic disruption during the installation of the system, and providing a transport link between Queen Street and Central stations.’
The many ideas set out in the plan will require substantial investment in the years ahead, but the report's authors explain that is the main reason for publishing these suggestions now.
The leader of Glasgow City Council, Steve Purcell, said: “Climate change is the biggest challenge that we are facing. The scientific world is almost unanimous in its view that unless we all take action we will be leaving the legacy of an uncertain future for our children. The need for action has been recognised at all levels of government and demanding carbon reduction targets have now been set. We all have a responsibility to work together.”
Reader Comments:
Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.
derek, Glasgow, Scotland
Glasgow was once the tram capital of the globe,it has the largest urban rail network outside london,also disused lines and tunnels that go into the heart of the city,it could be donr with no real diruption at all.the infrastructure is already there!
Richard, Reading
Cargo Trams have been operating in Dresden, Germany for years. Volkswagen uses them to transfer car parts from the mainline railway through the city centre to its car factory.