31 January 2006

Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL) Bill set for introduction today

60-day objection period begins as Bill is introduced to Scottish Parliament

SPT - the authority for public transport in west Scotland - is set to introduce a Private Bill promoting the building of a rail link between Glasgow Central and Glasgow Airport to the Scottish Parliament today (Tuesday 31 January).

This follows the Draft Bill's submission by SPT to the Scottish Parliament on Monday 9 January.

The Bill's introduction sees the start of a 60-day objection period where members of the public and organisations get the chance to formally register their objections to the proposed rail link*. Copies of the Bill are available on the Scottish Parliament website www.scottish.parliament.uk and at five public libraries: Paisley Central, Renfrew, Cardonald, Ibrox and Hillhead.**

Cllr Alistair Watson, Chair of SPT and West of Scotland Transport Partnership, said: "Today brings a fast, direct rail link between Glasgow Central and Glasgow Airport one step nearer.

"Although the Bill is now being introduced to the Scottish Parliament, we will continue to work closely with individuals and groups with an interest in this project not only to address their issues but also to ensure that they have the most up-to-date information on the project as the Bill passes through Parliament.

"The building of Glasgow Airport Rail Link would bring real economic benefits to Scotland, enhance its transport infrastructure and raise Glasgow's profile as an international destination, both throughout the UK and overseas."

Based on 2004 prices, SPT estimates that the cost of building a rail link between Glasgow Central and Glasgow Airport will be £160m.

The proposal is to upgrade 9km (5.4 miles) of existing track between Shields Junction and Paisley Gilmour Street station and to lay 1.9km (1.2miles) of new track between Paisley St James station and Glasgow Airport. The new track will cross St James Park and the M8. The upgrade of the Shields Junction to Paisley Gilmour Street section will also enable more services to be developed for the Ayrshire and Inverclyde routes. A new platform will also be built in Central Station and a new track laid at the Elderslie sidings.

SPT's formal public consultation into the Glasgow Airport Rail Link ran from 1 November 2004 to 28 February 2005 - there were a total of 1638 formal responses. In addition, 284 people attended public meetings and focus groups and 917 people visited the exhibition stands at various locations in Glasgow and Renfrewshire. The formal consultation saw more that 20,000 information leaflets distributed to homes and businesses along the route of the proposed link. A further 15,000 leaflets were distributed on local train services. A series of public exhibitions and meetings have been held and a website has also been created www.spt.co.uk/garl

The consultation continues. Over the past two weeks, SPT has sent out more than 12,000 leaflets to people living along the line of the proposed route, announcing that the Bill has been submitted to the Scottish Parliament. SPT will be talking to businesses, local people and other affected groups throughout the passage of the Bill in Parliament, in the lead up and throughout the construction period and afterwards. Liaison groups and forums will be set up to allow community groups and individuals to speak to SPT and the contractors.

The Department for Transport estimates that passenger numbers at Glasgow Airport are predicted to almost double, from 8.2million a year in 2003, to over 15 million passengers a year in 2030. Airport owner, BAA Scotland's latest forecasts are even higher and indicate that passenger numbers could rise as high as 24 million by 2030. At present, 95% of these passengers travelling to Glasgow Airport do so by road.

The rail link will provide more travel choice for airport users and establish a sustainable transport link to Glasgow Airport, which is a major employer and one of the biggest wealth generators in the region. It will increase the rail opportunities for travellers using Paisley Gilmour Street station. The link will also benefit the tourist industry. According to Roger Tym & Partners, Glasgow Airport Rail Link could help bring 52,500 additional UK and overseas visitors and contribute towards £10m in additional visitor expenditure every year to Glasgow, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde. In addition, the link would support the Glasgow City region's conference sector business, worth an estimated £115m annually.

ends

Notes for editors

*Any person, body corporate or unincorporated association may lodge an objection to a Private Bill which they can demonstrate would adversely affect their interests. There is currently a £20 fee to lodge an objection.

**The GARL Bill and supporting documentation will be available at the following libraries:

• Paisley Central Library, High Street, Paisley PA1 2BB
• Renfrew library, 103 paisley Road, Renfrew PA4 8LJ
• Cardonald Library, 1113 Mosspark Drive, Glasgow G52 3BU
• Ibrox Library, 1 Midlock Street, Glasgow G51 1SL
• Hillhead Library, 348 Byres Road, Glasgow G12 8AP