MPs demand extra cash for 2014 Commonwealth Games

Published on Monday 26 January 2009 21:05

A GROUP of MPs yesterday called on the UK government to provide extra cash to upgrade Glasgow's transport network in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

A delegation from the cross-party Scottish affairs committee visited sites in the city to determine where extra money could be spent if it were granted.

They will now press Jim Murphy, the Scottish Secretary, to fund improvements to Dalmarnock and Bridgeton rail stations in the city's east end, as well as the city's subway system.

The committee also suggested developing a smart-card system similar to the Oyster card used on public transport in London.

The card could be used to provide Games spectators with free public transport to and from venues.

The delegation, led by Glasgow Central MP Mohammed Sarwar, insisted that the investment was necessary if the Games were to provide the city with a "lasting legacy".

Scotland is due to lose 150 million in lottery money in the next three years due to the reallocation of funds to the London Olympics in 2012.

The 375 million budget for the Games is already in place, with 80 per cent being met by the Scottish Government and the remainder by Glasgow City Council.

Mr Sarwar said: "We strongly feel that to give the best impression of Glasgow and Scotland, additional funding will be required to upgrade transport routes.

"The last thing we want is to give people a shabby image of Glasgow."

Alistair Watson, chairman of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, said: "If we want more of a legacy, additional funds will be needed. The last refurbishment of Dalmarnock and Bridgeton stations was 30 years ago."

The committee refused to be drawn on how much money they would be asking Westminster for, although Mr Watson said that the initial 200 million provided by the Scottish Government to develop Games sites was "small beer compared with what will be needed".

He added: "Transport infrastructure does not come cheap."

Jim Devine, Livingston MP and a member of the committee, dismissed suggestions that the government would be reluctant to endorse such heavy expenditure in the current economic climate.

He said: "When the Prime Minister and President (Barack] Obama talk about financial stimulus, these are exactly the kind of projects that we are talking about.

"We are obviously not asking for an open chequebook, but the regeneration of the east end of Glasgow is long overdue."