Glasgow Subway to shut on two Sundays for systems tests

Glasgow's Subway is to close for two Sundays later this month to allow testing for its new signalling, communications, and operational systems.

The planned closures will be on Sunday 15 November and Sunday 22 November - with Glasgow's M8 motorway also partly closed on the first weekend.

People are being advised to allow extra time for journeys around the city.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) has been modernising Subway operations in recent months, including having moved many operations to a new control room at the end of August.

The testing programme will also support the continued rollout of Platform Screen Doors (PSDs), which have already been installed at a number of stations.

Richard Robinson, SPT's director of transport operations, said: "The work taking place during these Sunday closures will allow us to carry out critical testing and validation of key systems that support the operation of the modernised Subway.

"Over recent years, substantial work has taken place behind the scenes to upgrade key infrastructure across the network.

"We have now reached the stage where we need to carry out extensive testing to ensure the new signalling and communications systems operate safely, reliably and as intended."

He added the work would let "operational scenarios" be tested out.

On Wednesday, bosses at Glasgow's SEC campus, which includes the OVO Hydro arena, released a statement warning people travelling to the venue on the weekends of 7 November and 14 November to expect disruption and delays.

Sections of the M8, M77, M74 and some connecting slip roads will be closed for part of each weekend, with the M8 closures lasting from 18:00 each Saturday until 13:00 on each Sunday.