The Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL).
It appears that this Association is expected, by some,
to be opposed to this scheme. Not so. Unlike the Edinburgh Airport scheme,
which attracted our criticism as being far too big, expensive and impractical,
the Glasgow scheme (GARL) is realistic and stands every chance of being
successful. The promotors appear to have understood that their scheme should
provide
improved facilities for rail and bus travellers: it should not attempt
to carry any of the 90% which currently get to and from the Airport by
car, and it does not do that.
As the plan shows, GARL simply consists of a scheme to use the existing
rail line from Central Station to Paisley, with the addition of a short
extension from Paisley to the Airport. A law authorising the scheme was
passed at Holyrood ealry in 2007, and this Association did not object.
In the early stages the opinion of Consultants was sought, and they reported
that the scheme should not proceed because it would always lose money.
That is a myopic and unwise verdict which fails to take into account the
saving in congestion which will result.
For that reason this Association is in favour of GARL
