Outline of the Conference programme

Please click here for full program or read on for an outline of the day.

The conference opened with a keynote speech by Dr. Tom Rye, from Napier University School of the Built Environment, who provided a fascinating insight into what we in Glasgow can learn from similar European projects.

Attention then turned to more local waters and thanks to Emily Malcolm from the Glasgow Museum of Transport, we were transported back in time to consider the historical perspective to transport on the Clyde. Emily illustrated what happened in the past in order to guide and show us what may be possible in the future.

The development of integrated transport strategies provided the focus for the next session when Douglas Ferguson, from Strathclyde Passenger Transport who explained how the Clyde-wide public transport network has evolved. Rodney Mortimer, from the West of Scotland Transport Partnership (WESTRANS), presented the key elements of the draft Integrated Transport Strategy for the West of Scotland.

The conference then moved from the strategic to the practical and turned its attention to exploring the potential of different transport systems in and around the Clyde, considering social, economic and environmental benefits and impacts.

The role of Caledonian MacBrayne ferries in connecting communities around the Clyde was described by the Chairman, Dr. Harold Mills, and then Professor Alfred Baird, Head of Maritime Research at Napier University, who presented the findings of the Scottish Enterprise study on possible locations for an exciting and pioneering high frequency passenger service on the Clyde. The session finished with a plea for a new and extended system of ferries beyond the river by Alistair Macleod, Chief Executive Clydefast.

Land based transport then took centre stage, with George Vincent outlining Glasgow City Council's Clyde Corridor Transport Strategy and the innovative Glasgow Pre-Light Rail Transport (LRT) project which aims to link the city centre with outlying areas. Michael Addiscott, from Cycling Scotland then urged us to 'get on our bikes' illustrating cycling's potential for health, recreation and commuter benefits.

The final session turned to the potential for freight transport on the Clyde with Bill Burns, Clydeport, describing the major development proposal for a container hub at Hunterston and Brian Menzies, EnviroCentre setting out the potential opportunities and vision for developing the Clyde as a sustainable haulage hub for the 21st century.