Zero-carbon buses could be en route
Businessman proposes fleet to serve greater area
STEPHEN BARK
Plans to introduce hydrogen-powered buses to South Lanarkshire by 2024 have been welcomed by senior councillors.
A fleet of 3000 new zero-carbon buses could be introduced across the UK, including 300 in and around Glasgow if plans by JCB heir Jo Bamford are supported by the UK Government.
That could see regular pollution-free bus travel from East Kilbride, Hamilton, Rutherglen and Cambuslang to Glasgow introduced within four years.
Hydrogen-powered vehicles release only water vapour and 300 buses could save an estimated 28,000 tons of carbon dioxide each year - the equivalent of taking roughly 10,000 cars off the road a year.
Mr Bamford has said his plans are “an ideal option for a government that needs to boost UK manufacturing at this critical time whilst radically reducing our carbon emissions and air pollution” and has already submitted his vision in a document to ministers.
Smart Sustainable East Kilbride are among those to welcome the plans as they hope to see a multi-dimensional low carbon centre of excellence established in the town.
Craig Smith, chair of Smart Sustainable East Kilbride, said: “This is exactly the kind of exciting and imaginative new thinking we will need if Scotland is to meet it’s emission and climate change goals.
“It fits perfectly with our vision and current plans for a greener, low carbon East Kilbride, and could create many new and sustainable jobs in the town.
“At Smart Sustainable East Kilbride we believe that the use of Hydrogen for transport, heating and industrial uses will be a big part of the future, and our future economy.
“We would welcome any opportunities to work with partners to realise their full potential in East Kilbride and across South Lanarkshire.”
South Lanarkshire Council have committed to modernising their vehicle fleet following the adoption of a new fleet strategy which paves the way for the potential to introduce electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group in South Lanarkshire, Councillor Mark McGeever (Hamilton West and Earnock) said: “We would be keen to see whether hydrogen-powered vehicles can add to the roll-out of electric buses and offer further environmental benefits.
“It’s important bus companies are helped to quickly bring in new, clean, environmentally friendly vehicles.
“That will stop our communities’ air being polluted by the old-fashioned, diesel guzzling fleets we need to finally get off our roads.
“Helping to speed up the replacement of old buses could also play a part in helping to restart the economy by supporting jobs and industry damaged by the public health emergency.”
Councillor Joe Fagan (East Kilbride Central North), leader of the South Lanarkshire Labour group, said: “There is great potential in hydrogen technology and there is a determination among business leaders in East Kilbride that the town will benefit from the transition to hydrogen.
“The council’s new Fleet Strategy, supported by the leaders of all political groups, opens up the option of the council investing in hydrogen vehicles to demonstrate that hydrogen technology can help us decarbonise transport.”
A spokesperson for the South Lanarkshire SNP group added: “Low-carbon transport and infrastructure will play a big part in our plans to tackle climate change and rebuild the economy.
“There is an opportunity post coronavirus to rebuild and reshape our economy to ensure that it is greener, more innovative and progressive.
“It is therefore welcome to see private companies taking the lead and investing in climate friendly technology that will help us on the road to recovery.”