Work on the Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL) can commence after MPs voted to approve the scheme this week.

The programme will now enter the design and procurement stage, with its promoter, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), expecting the link to be operational by the end of 2010.

Councillor Alistair Watson, chairman of the SPT, said the decision marked "an historic day for Scotland".

"Most major international cities worldwide have fast, reliable links between their principal airport and the city centre and now Glasgow will have one too," he added.

The project entails upgrading nine km of existing track and laying 1.9 km of new track. When completed, there will be a dedicated train service from Glasgow Central Station to a new station at Glasgow Airport every 15 minutes.

Stephen Baxter, managing director of BAA Scotland, welcomed the vote, saying: "This is an ambitious, exciting project and we look forward to working with SPT over the coming months to turn the long held ambition of a Glasgow Airport rail link into a firm reality."

The £210 million project received overwhelming support from MPs, who voted 118 to eight in favour of the link, the Glasgow Evening Times reports.


© Adfero Ltd

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