Parts of Lanarkshire could benefit from an ambitious Scottish government transport plan over the next two decades.
Rutherglen, Cambuslang and East Kilbride all feature in the Glasgow Metro plans proposed by the SNP, which would see tram lines return to the city for the first time since the 1960s, and major upgrades to the existing rail network.
Faster and more frequent trains linking the city centre to suburban areas would be created under a plan to introduce "heavy metro" services.
The proposal is one 45 "core projects" listed in the Strategic Transport Projects Review for investment within the next 20 years.
The report highlights four key areas of investment to make transformational change in Scotland – mass transit in Scotland’s biggest city regions, improved connectivity for transport in rural and island communities, decarbonisation of public transport, and improving active travel infrastructure.
Critics have already called for more clarity on what the scheme would involve.
However, Rutherglen MSP Clare Haughey believes the proposal would have "huge benefits" for locals.
She told Lanarkshire Live : "Although we are at the initial stages of the Glasgow Metro plans, with the Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 (STPR2) being a 20-year programme, I am truly excited by it.
"The first STPR delivered the Queensferry Crossing and electrification of the Glasgow-Edinburgh rail lines, and so this latest review could be transformational.
"A consultation is currently being held on the proposals and at the end of that process, the Scottish Government will publish a delivery plan that sets out how they will take forward the recommendations that are set out in STPR2.
"The inclusion of both Cambuslang and Rutherglen in the plans could potentially bring huge benefits to local people and our communities, and so I’d encourage all local residents to take part in the consultation process."
Announcing the plans, the transport minister Michael Matheson announced the multi-billion pound scheme would link people "from Clydebank to Cambuslang".
Mr Matheson was seemingly unaware that the two areas are already connected by regular ScotRail services.
He did not provide a proposed start date for the project, other than it would happen within the next two decades.
Rutherglen Central and North councillor Martin Lennon reacted with scepticism to the proposal.
On Twitter he stated: "I really want this Metro project to be true and actually happen but I look at this map and it's just random lines.
"Is that blue 'heavy rail' the existing Rutherglen station line? Why does it go to Queen Street? Is the green a new line through the sewage plant and town hall?
"No actual info about what will be built, when it will be built or how much it will cost."
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