A DEAL to take forward the Glasgow Clyde Metro transport system has been agreed.

Glasgow City Council and UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) have started work on developing financial and commercial plans for the project.

The Metro was recently confirmed by the Scottish Government as a key priority for future transport investment.

The Metro is a planned multi-billion-pound investment over a 30-year period.

As yet there is no timescale or identified funding for the project.

READ HERE how the government has been challenged over funding and timings

The council said UKIB has provided commercial insights around the investment case for Clyde Metro and ran a series of workshops with regional stakeholders and representatives from the public and private finance sector to explore funding options for mass transit.

Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Clyde Metro will be transformational across the west of Scotland, a catalyst for major economic growth and development, and social and educational opportunities while also making a huge contribution to our decarbonisation agenda. 

“This collaboration with UKIB will help us further explore those critical funding and investment options for Clyde Metro, inform early engagement with potential partners and identify the financial structures necessary to support large scale mass transit projects and the wider net zero transition agenda.

“In progressing the vital discussions around the resourcing of Clyde Metro we can then begin to talk to our citizens about routes and destinations, about timetables for delivery and about the transformational benefits it will have for them and their communities.”

John Flint, CEO of UKIB, said: “Local authorities have a pivotal role to play in the journey to net zero and supporting regional and economic growth – the twin missions of the bank.”  

The council and UKIB are looking at ongoing mass transit and bus pilots with West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Transport for Greater Manchester.