Crunch meeting to take place on airport rail link plan
A TOP level meeting is to take place on the future of the Glasgow airport rail link.
Senior council bosses are meeting with the Transport Minister and Glasgow Airport this week as calls grow for the project to get under way.
The meeting comes after a report showed the economic benefit to Glasgow and Scotland of the airport, the second busiest in the country.
In the report it states that the airport’s plans to grow passenger numbers depend on good surface transport links. It is the only airport of its size that is wholly dependent on road transport for passengers to get in and out.
The report, by Consultants York Aviation, found that Glasgow Airport supports 30,000 jobs and contributes almost £1.5 billion to the economy.
Mark Johnston, managing director, is meeting with Michael Matheson, the Transport Minister and Glasgow and Renfrewshire councils to discuss the project.
Work on the link, which has cash from the Glasgow City Deal earmarked to fund it, has stalled after a report showed it could have a negative impact on the rest of the existing rail network.
Services from Renfrewshire and Ayrshire were believed to be impacted by extra trains running on the line between Glasgow Central Station and Paisley before turning off on to new track and a station at the airport.
Mr Johnston said he hoped the meeting would produce a positive outcome.
He said “There’s an acceptance now that something needs to happen.”
He said: “We’re the only airport in Europe that has road as its only means of access. The recent studies have shown that the congestion is only increasing on the M8. We have the funding available through the City Deal, so I think there’s a genuine acceptance that something needs to happen.”
The report said that government could help ensure the growth of the airport and it listed key areas where the airport and its partners can work together to ensure the airport’s potential is fulfilled.
They included: “Delivery of the Glasgow City Region Deal commitments and particularly the Glasgow Airport Rail Link.”