Motherwell Strathclyde Park previously hosted the major Scottish music festival, T in the Park, until 1996, when it was moved to a disused airfield in Balado, Kinross-shire. It has also hosted other music festivals such as Retrofest. Modern authors Des McAnulty and Mark Wilson have written novels of critical acclaim which are based in the town (LIFE IS LOCAL, McAnulty) and neighbouring town Bellshill (BOBBY'S BOY, Wilson). Motherwell is the headquarters for both North Lanarkshire Council, which is one of Scotland's most populous local authority areas, and of Police Scotland "Q" division. These organisations cover an overall population of 327,000 people
Transport in Scotland new franchise in 2015. It is currently operated by Serco. Since 1997, rail usage was risen and has led to the reopening of former railway lines and stations closed under the Beeching Axe. Major reopenings include: The Glasgow Subway is the only underground system in Scotland. Opened in 14 December 1896, making it the 3rd oldest underground network in the World. It is owned and operated by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport. Edinburgh Trams opened on 31 May 2014. It is the only system currently in operation in Scotland, although Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow formerly had extensive networks. Scotland has