Background

What is GARL?

Background In 2001, the Scottish Executive commissioned consultants to investigate the possibility of building a rail link to Glasgow airport. A substantial amount of work was carried out to identify the best route for the rail corridoNew railway lines need to be approved by the Scottish Parliament and the Scottish Executive has awarded SPT funding to prepare a Bill for the Glasgow Airport Rail Link to be submitted to the Parliament.

SPT is currently holding a public consultation on the proposals for the rail link. This microsite provides information on the proposals and tells you the various ways that you can participate and let your views be heard.

The preferred route

A rail link to Glasgow Airport has been an ambition of SPT for some time.

Many routes were considered for the rail link but were rejected on technical or economic grounds. A preferred route was identified which offers the best balance between practicality and affordability.

Under these proposals, a 15-minute service would operate from Glasgow Central station to the airport terminal, stopping at Paisley Gilmour Street station. Increased platform capacity will be provided at Glasgow Central station.

The preferred scheme involves upgrading 9km of existing track between Glasgow (Shields Junction) and Paisley. Some 2km of new track would be laid to create a spur line running east of Paisley St James station, northwards towards the terminal building.

The map below shows the preferred route, and where it is proposed to upgrade the existing track and lay the new spur.

Map of preferred route

The preferred route was chosen after an independent study looked at all the options for the Scottish Executive.

The key shows where it is proposed to upgrade the existing track and where the new spur link is planned.

View the map of the preferred route (jpg format, 417kb).