NEWS RELEASE

Tuesday 14th March 2006

Glasgow Airport Rail Link proposals welcomed - with some reservations

TRANSform Scotland, Scotland's campaign for sustainable transport, have today welcomed the Parliamentary Bill for the proposed Glasgow Airport Rail Link. [1] TRANSform Scotland have today submitted written evidence to the Parliament in support of the Bill. [2] The evidence has been submitted in advance of the first meeting of the Parliamentary Committee which will consider evidence on the Bill: this is meeting for the first time later this morning. [3]

Calum McCallum, rail campaigner with TRANSform Scotland, said:

"Although we are opposed to the uncontrolled growth of air traffic on sustainability grounds, we feel that this rail link is necessary in order to increase the current low proportion of passengers who travel to Glasgow Airport by public transport."

TRANSform Scotland have raised in its evidence some recommendations for the GARL Bill Committee to consider. In particular, four aspects raise concerns, namely:

* The proposed location of the station at the airport is far from the terminal and could be closer, but BAA objects to a closer location.

* The scheme may marginalise local travellers from the stations between Glasgow and Paisley in favour of airport and other long-distance travellers. Some areas served by the stations are deprived, while long distance travellers tend to be more prosperous.

* There are no proposed measures in the scheme to reduce car use at the airport directly, such as increasing airport parking charges or decreasing the total number of parking spaces.

* A lack of consideration has been given to the need for a wide range of connections between all parts of Scotland and the Glasgow Airport line.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] TRANSform Scotland

TRANSform Scotland is the national sustainable transport alliance, campaigning for a more sustainable and more socially-just transport system. Our membership includes bus, rail and shipping operators, local authorities, national environment and conservation groups, consultancies and local transport campaigns.

[2] TRANSform Scotland written evidence on GARL Bill

<http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/info/docs/2006-03-14_GARL_evidence.pdf>

[3] Glasgow Airport Rail Link Bill Committee

<http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/glasgowAirLinkBill/index.htm>

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