‘Axed plan was flawed’

Debate sparked after latest rail proposal is scrapped and search for

THE leader of Glasgow City Council has described plans for an airport rail link as ‘an act of economic self-harm.’

Susan Aitken has accused opposition parties of using the link as a political football.

The statements come after it was revealed that the plans are expected to be ditched in favour of a shuttle system to Paisley.

A Personal Rapid Transit shuttle pod between Glasgow Airport and Paisley Gilmour Street has emerged as the likely alternative to a full tram-train rail link.

As previously reported, the rail link to Glasgow Airport was scrapped because it would have led to many other commuter services being cancelled, according to Transport Secretary Michael Matheson.

Writing in today’s Evening Times, Councillor Aitken, said: “We have stopped this work after it became abundantly clear that it didn’t just face a few hurdles; was fundamentally flawed.

“Several audits and analyses of this proposal, including an independent expert report commissioned in 2016, reached similar conclusions.”

She added: “The airport tram plan was a transport calamity waiting to happen.

“Opposition politicians might be happy to shrug off these concerns.

“If your only goal is a kick of the political football, these concerns hardly matter.

“For those of us wanting Glasgow properly connected to its airport by rail, they cannot be brushed aside.” it

READ SUSAN AITKEN ON PAGE 18