MSP wants answers on airport link pods
A Paisley politician has written to the leaders of two councils grilling them on plans to use podcars to link Gilmour Street train station and Glasgow Airport.
Neil Bibby MSP has quizzed Renfrewshire Council leader Iain Nicolson and Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken on how the pod system will work.
Mr Bibby said he is seeking “clarity on basic questions” about the Personal Rapid Transit scheme - favoured as part of the City Deal - because “residents and businesses deserve full transparency”.
In an email, the Labour MSP has asked the pair about the proposed route for the pods, timescales for completion and the adjustments required at Gilmour Street station.
The MSP posed the following questions: What route will the pod system use between the airport and Paisley Gilmour Street? Will the travel pod route be elevated and, if so, to what height?
What buildings or land will be required in order to proceed with the travel pod option?
What is the cost of acquiring land and property to deliver the pod solution and how will this be met?
What adjustments or refurbishments would be required at Paisley Gilmour Street?
What account will be given to the station’s listed status?
What impact will the travel pod option have on M8 congestion?
What level of modal shift do you envisage will be achieved by the travel pod option as opposed to tram-train?
How will travel pods support the growth and connectivity for the Glasgow Airport Investment Area as compared to tram-train?
In light of the vote in the Scottish Parliament to progress the Glasgow Airport Access Project “as a matter of urgency”, when will a fully developed pod proposal be put forward for approval?
How has your announcement that a business case for a pod option is now to be developed been received by stakeholders, such as the local business community?
Speaking about the pod plans, Mr Bibby said: “It remains bizarre that the SNP locally and nationally seemingly find it too hard to build a rail link to the airport.
“Increasing congestion on the M8 is of great concern to local commuters and businesses and it beggars belief that they have scrapped the airport rail link for a second time, particularly when it was ready to go.
“Now that he is proposing the pods, it’s time for answers from the council leader on his pods plan.
“Residents and businesses deserve answers to basic questions like what route are they planning for the proposed pods?
“If Councillor Nicolson can’t or won’t answer these questions now people will conclude again that his administration are not interested in connecting the airport to the rail network or dealing with the issue of M8 congestion which firms say is deterring investment from the area.”
Councillor Iain Nicolson previously described the move towards podcars as a “step forward”.
He said: “This is a really positive step forward and recognition that a transport link between Glasgow City Centre, Paisley and Glasgow Airport is critical to the success of the city region economy.
“It is important we get the right solution which takes in to account competing demands on the existing rail network and delivers for the whole of the City Region.
“In order to ensure we get the right solution, we now have a clear way forward and agreement to look at a business case for a Personal Rapid Transit system, which can be delivered quickly and finally make the connection between the airport and the city that business leaders and investors are crying out for.”
Residents and businesses deserve answers like what route are they planning for these pods?