Direct rail link from airport to city centre would mean passengers could bypass congested M8

Glasgow council leaders have unveiled plans for a direct rail link between Glasgow’s airport and its city centre.

Called the Glasgow Airport Access Project, the £144m scheme is the flagship project for the £1.13bn Glasgow City Region City deal.

The project would cut journey times to the centre to just 16 minutes and bypass the need to use the congested M8.

It would use a specially designed hybrid tram-train running on existing railway lines and on-street tracks.

If approved, construction is expected to start in 2022 with the line operational in 2025.

Renfrewshire council leader Mark Macmillan said: “Improved transport connections will support the growth of the airport and open up the area to tourism and businesses, bringing inward investment and creating jobs for local people.

“It will also enhance the benefits of our other City Deal projects, which are designed to unlock our economic potential, creating a world class business and commercial location with excellent links across the Clyde and into our town and city centres.”

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