urbanglasgow.co.uk

glasgowken · Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2008 8:00 pm Post subject:

Speaking of bridges, the footbridges at Dalmuir need serious work to the treads, a lot of them are rotten and slope backwards

james73 · Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 3:03 pm Post subject:

Headcams for Subway cops in bid to beat yobs (Evening Times)

GLASGOW'S Subway police have unveiled their latest weapon in the war
against yobs - head-mounted cameras.

The hi-tech kits, which will be used for the first time in Scotland today,
allow British Transport Police to record anti-social behaviour on trains and
monitor crowds at big events such as football matches and concerts.

Two officers will wear the special "Veecams" tonight as fans travel to and
from Ibrox for Rangers' second round Champions League qualifier against
Lithuanian side Kaunas.

The £1200 hands-free camera can film continuously for up to eight hours.
It can be positioned on the head or body and has a microphone.

High-quality footage is easily downloaded onto computers and DVDs.

Because the cameras are tamper-proof, bosses say any evidence collected
by them will be fully admissible in court.

They have already been used successfully by British Transport Police on
the London Underground and by other forces in England and Wales.

It took the Subway network's two dedicated cops, PCs Jack Mitchell and
John McCrone - affectionately known by Subway staff as Jack and Victor
after the Still Game TV characters - just two days to learn how to use
their latest pieces of kit.

The pair have been working as neighbourhood officers on the network for
18 months.

PC Mitchell said: "These cameras aren't for everyday use, but at big
events such as tonight's football match, where 20% of the fans will use
the Subway, they will be invaluable.

"The majority travel to and from Ibrox safely and sensibly. However,
there's a minority who want to cause trouble.

"We're determined to stamp it out and these cameras will be another tool
that will enable us to do that."

The cameras will be on trial over the next two months. If successful, they
are likely to be rolled out to other officers based at Central and Queen
Street stations, and could be used at other big events such as concerts at
Hampden and next year's Open golf tournament at Turnberry in Ayrshire.

James H
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Happiness ain't at the end of the road - Happiness *IS* the road...

zolita1908 · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 3:05 pm Post subject:

Trains to ‘fly’ flag (Evening Times)

SCOTLAND'S trains are to be given a facelift with the country's national flag.

The rail network is to be rebranded with its first uniform look using saltire livery.

Stations will also be revamped using a dark blue colour scheme and blue signs similar to those at Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley.

Transport Scotland say they want the country's trains to have the same connection as red buses have in London.
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The work will be carried out during routine re-painting to avoid extra costs.

The move has led to some accusations that the SNP government is using the rebrand to push the independence message.

However transport chiefs insist the plans were on the table before the party came to power.

They said the rebranding aimed to provide the country's railways with a livery that will not change each time a new company takes over.

Passenger watchdogs said the saltire livery would reduce confusion and save money in the long term.

Robert Samson, the Scotland manager for Passenger Focus, said: "It will help bring uniformity, because there is a mishmash of First ScotRail and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport livery now, and different signs all over the place.

"The new livery gives Scotland's railways a national identity without being Nationalist."

The look is due to be launched next month to mark the 25th anniversary of the ScotRail name being coined by British Rail. The saltire livery, which will also be extended to train interiors, will cover 260 trains across the country.

Gary Brogan, the head of franchise futures of Transport Scotland, said: "We aim to create a brand which is independent of the franchisee."
_________________
xxx zos xxx

"Don’t be so humble - you are not that great."

cybers · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 12:48 pm Post subject:

Magic we just got Gold trains on our Airdrie (soon), Bathgate, Edinburgh stretch now they are to be redone with something a little more patriotic.
Bout time too....
The blue train will be returning to Belgrove

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MY FLICKR

james73 · Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 3:22 pm Post subject:

Rail route to re-open early after major work (Evening Times)

COMMUTERS in Glasgow will get back on track earlier than expected after
railworks were completed early.

Services on the major Cathcart Circle line in the South Side were not
expected to return to normal until this weekend after engineers were sent
in to repair empty mine shafts near Pollokshields East station.

But services will now be restored from Thursday - even after rail bosses
took advantage of the closure to carry out other repairs.

Five stations, including Queens Park, Crosshill, Mount Florida and Cathcart
were closed completely by the work to fill in 800sq m of abandoned
mineworks discovered near the Tramway theatre.

Maintenance crews including specialist contractors worked round the
clock, lifting tracks and removing the gantries supporting power cables
before they could carry out the vital work.

David Simpson, Network Rail route director for Scotland, said: "The team
at Pollokshields East has done a fantastic job in tackling what was a
considerable threat to the long-term viability of the Cathcart Circle line.

"We would also like to thank passengers for their patience during this
disruption."

Maintenance crews working with train operator FirstScotrail gave stations
a fresh coat of paint and repaired long-term damage to station buildings
along the route as part of the £2.4million programme.

The train company came under fire when repairs started on July 22 after
if failed to provide an effective service into Glasgow Central from the
affected stations.

A limited shuttle bus, terminating at Pollok-shields was largely snubbed by
commuters who flooded bus services, leading First in Glasgow to supply
extra buses.

James H
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Happiness ain't at the end of the road - Happiness *IS* the road...

james73 · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:06 pm Post subject:

Scottish poet going underground (BBC)

A poet-in-residence has been hired to work on Glasgow's underground
system.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) said John Rice would develop
works for the subway system and wider community over the next nine
months.

His £13,500 contract will see 40 hours per week split between personal
writing and project work.

Mr Rice's poems will be displayed on the subway concourse. He will also
run a series of reading and writing workshops in schools and libraries.

SPT said the project was the first of its kind for public transport in
Scotland and would "enhance the travelling experience and encourage
enjoyment of poetry for all ages".

Mr Rice, who presently lives in England, was born in Glasgow's Possilpark
area.

James H
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Happiness ain't at the end of the road - Happiness *IS* the road...

Stuball · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 11:12 pm Post subject:

Allow me to be the first to say...

What a bleedin waste of money!
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Now coming at you with 95% more significance, 1% less salt and virtually fat free!

FLICKR GALLERY

james73 · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2008 5:45 pm Post subject:

Stations get upgrades to help disabled (Evening Times)

DISABLED access will be improved at two railway stations in Glasgow as
part of a £39million funding boost.

Easterhouse and Hyndland are among the latest stations to benefit from
the Department for Transport's drive to upgrade access.

A report by Network Rail, on behalf of Transport Scotland, will be carried
out to determine how much funding should be allocated to each.

The feasibility study will also look into exactly what improvements need to
be made at the stops.

Some of the options being considered include installing lifts and ramps for
disabled people, providing low-level ticket facilities for wheelchair users
and ensuring adequate disabled parking is in place.

Rail Minister and Glasgow South MP Tom Harris announced the plans at
Mount Florida station.

It has received £1.1m under the Access for All scheme, which is funding
improvements at Scotland's stations over the next seven years.

Mr Harris said: "We want to encourage more people to travel by train - so
it is important we ensure the rail network is accessible to everyone."

Robert Sampson, of rail watchdog Passenger Focus Scotland, said: "A lot
of stations in Scotland date back to Victorian times - some are more than
140 years old.

"This work will now help bring them into the 20th century, let alone the
21st century, to the benefit of all passengers - particularly disabled
people."

Mount Florida is one of five railway stations in Scotland now benefiting
from the Access for All funding. Barrhead (£1.4m), Dalmuir (£2.7m),
Motherwell (£2.5m) and Rutherglen (£1.3m) are also getting
improvements.

James H
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Happiness ain't at the end of the road - Happiness *IS* the road...