Glasgow Airport Rail Link plans dead as Scottish Government budget is passed

Feb 4 2010

PLANS for a Glasgow Airport Rail Link bit the dust on Wednesday when MSPs voted through the Scottish Government's budget for the forthcoming year - despite a passionate plea from the airport's boss.

Glasgow Airport MD Amanda McMillan backed a plan to reinstate the axed rail link in a damning letter to the Government ahead of Wednesday's crucial vote.

Ms McMillan said that cancelling plans for the rail link (GARL) last September left a "gaping hole" in passengers' access options.

And she urged MSPs to re-think the decision, made as part of a cut in public spending, because it has negative effects on the city's reputation, tourism and business.

But the minority SNP government squeezed through their budget with the support of the Tories, Green Party and Independent MSP Margo Macdonald.

In the letter she claimed the decision has forced some potential passengers to look elsewhere.

She added: "Access plays an important role in determining which Scottish or UK airport passengers ultimately choose to fly from.

"Put simply, if passengers cannot easily access Glasgow Airport, they will choose another airport.

"Sadly, for many passengers, their experience of travelling to and from Glasgow Airport is likely to be a frustrating one.

"Congestion on the airport's main access routes, particularly the M8, is a constraint on people travelling quickly to and from the airport.

"Unless action is taken to address this challenge, the reputation of our airport and our ability to attract passengers beyond metropolitan Glasgow will be seriously damaged.

"Ultimately this has implications for business, tourism and employment throughout Glasgow and Scotland.

"The future of Glasgow Airport is an issue of national importance."

Following the decision  to abandon GARL, McMillan is calling for a review of access at the airport.

In her letter, she also highlighted the airport's economic contribution for the west and Scotland as a whole, supporting more than 5000 jobs at the airport and many thousands more across Scotland.

She also reminded MSPs of its role as Scotland's principal long haul and transatlantic gateway and the vital contribution it makes to tourism.