STRATHCLYDE'S transport supremo, Councillor Malcolm Waugh, emerged

from a meeting with British Rail chairman, Sir Robert Reid, claiming

victory in his bid for service upgrading in the region.

Having threatened to divert Strathclyde Regional Council resources if

British Rail did not meet his council's aspirations, Mr Waugh declared

he had won major commitments from Sir Robert on a whole range of

projects.

On the largest of Strathclyde's projects, a proposed central Glasgow

rail link between the northern and southern electric systems, he won a

promise that Sir Robert would discuss with his engineers and design

staff the possibility of initiating design work before 1994.

This was previously the earliest date for the start of design work in

view of priority being given to work on the Channel tunnel.

In addition Mr Waugh said Sir Robert had promised that the proposed

Rutherglen-Coatbridge line and the northern suburban line to Maryhill

would be operational by the end of 1993, while Sir Robert had been

confident that the proposed Hamilton-Larkhall line would be operational

by 1996.

Said a smiling Mr Waugh: ''It was a very fruitful meeting. It goes to

show if you kick up hell you can get results. I now feel confident Sir

Robert is going to push things along.''