One year delay for airport rail link

The planned rail link servicing Glasgow Airport flyers has been delayed by another year, meaning the completion date is now 2011.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson revealed the delay when he outlined the government's rail and road priorities recently.

Many flyers rely on public transport to get to the airport and those travellers affected by the delay may wish to consider driving themselves and using airport parking as an alternative solution.

Mr Stevenson said the SPT and Network Rail were trying to trying to combine the Glasgow Airport Rail Link plans with the necessary signalling improvement needed on the existing railway to Paisley.

"It became apparent that if delivered separately there would be a need to rip out newly-installed infrastructure," said Mr Stevenson.

"We have therefore decided the best way to proceed is by combining these projects and the consequence is that GARL will be delayed by about a year."

Glasgow Airport is operated by BAA, which also runs Edinburgh Airport and Aberdeen Airport north of the border.

Its airports deal with millions of passengers each and offer flyers a selection of airport hotels and airport lounges to help improve their travelling experiences.