17 Jan 2020
At the start of Glasgow’s 22nd State of the City Economy conference (SOCE) on Friday, the 600 delegates were asked for one word to summarise what they hoped the event would tackle. The two most popular words were growth and sustainability, capturing perhaps the most vigorously debated concepts of last year, Brexit and climate change.
With the United Nations Climate Change Summit coming to Glasgow in November, there was no doubt climate change would be well discussed but there were also two announcements that bode well for the growth of the Glasgow economy.
First from City Council Leader Susan Aitken came confirmation that the first phase of a new Glasgow Metro system would begin with a line from Paisley Gilmour Street station to Glasgow Airport. Next came a surprise announcement from Cabinet Secretary Derek Mackay that a new team was being set up inside the Scottish Government to co-ordinate the revitalisation of the River Clyde corridor.
The Metro line has funding in place to link from Gilmour Street to the Airport but Councillor Aitken made it crystal clear that she would be arguing for the Glasgow Metro to be included in the Scottish Government’s Strategic Transport Priorities Review, due for publication in 2021. Last week’s mood music from both the First Minister and Mr Mackay raises expectation that funding for the full Metro connection to the city centre will find favour.
Derek Mackay’s commitment to the Clyde is equally encouraging. By designating the river corridor from Clyde Gateway to Inverclyde as a national strategic asset and describing the process for developing an investment prospectus which would guide the Government and its agencies, Mr Mackay was sending out a clear message that rejuvenating the Clyde is unfinished business. That is warmly welcomed.
Mr Mackay was asked whether economic growth investments could be compatible with action to tackle climate change. His answer was blunt - of course they can. Intelligent sustainable growth is well within our capabilities.
The Metro can be a leading example of how to decarbonise local transport whilst making it easier for many Glaswegians to get to work. And from projects like the National Manufacturing Institute for Scotland or the innovation districts promoted by the Universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow will come new technologies to help us solve climate change.
Turning announcements into tangible delivery is essential if the sceptics are to be convinced, but there is much to cheer nonetheless.
