Glasgow Airport tram link on track for 2025
November 24 2016
The Glasgow Airport Access Project would comprise custom-built tram-trains capable of running on existing railway lines and a newly built light rail spur from paisley to the airport.
If endorsed by Glasgow City Region Cabinet construction could commence on the link by 2022 and be operational by 2025 with up to four tram-trains per hour shuttling back and forth.
An interchange halt at Paisley Gilmour Street would also facilitate onward journeys to Ayrshire and Inverclyde, bypassing the congested city centre entirely.
Ross Nimmo, head of planning and development for Glasgow Airport, said: “We welcome the identification of tram train as the preferred option. Not only is it a significant milestone in the Glasgow Airport Access Project, it is the culmination of rigorous planning over several years. It has a very strong business case, with conservative estimates suggesting the airport is set to become one of the busiest train stations in Scotland.”
Journey times on the new route are estimated at 16.5 minutes, longer than the 15 minutes it currently takes to reach Central Station by bus – although the M8 suffers regular rush hour congestion.
AECOM and Soluis Group have worked on the project thus far, with a lead designer set to be appointed next year.
15 Comments
#1 Posted by David on 24 Nov 2016 at 16:16 PM
15 minutes by bus? Perhaps at 4o'clock in the morning.....minimum 30minutes by road, usually over an hour during morning and evening rush hour. Welcome proposal, however Glasgow Crossrail must be implemented for this new link to benefit the whole of Scotland.
#2 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 24 Nov 2016 at 16:30 PM
Interested to see what the outcome figure is?
Just what exactly are we getting for our £144mill?
Interesting to see how the new route manages to weave its way around the fuel tanks and nurseries that abound in North Paisley.
Only half the story as plans need to be drawn up how we can use the tram / train capabilities at the other end -- what about upgrading the City Union line and feeding airport traffic from other parts of the network?
Disappointed that a DCC people mover from PGS to the airport has not been put forward. My view is that it would offer a better service and help development in the centre of Paisley.
The proposed 4 trains per hour service is to my mind not enough for the needs of the airport plus it is a dedicated service that eats up capacity at GC.
Just what exactly are we getting for our £144mill?
Interesting to see how the new route manages to weave its way around the fuel tanks and nurseries that abound in North Paisley.
Only half the story as plans need to be drawn up how we can use the tram / train capabilities at the other end -- what about upgrading the City Union line and feeding airport traffic from other parts of the network?
Disappointed that a DCC people mover from PGS to the airport has not been put forward. My view is that it would offer a better service and help development in the centre of Paisley.
The proposed 4 trains per hour service is to my mind not enough for the needs of the airport plus it is a dedicated service that eats up capacity at GC.
#3 Posted by HMR on 24 Nov 2016 at 16:31 PM
Dreadful, a city the size of Glasgow with a two stop tram and train from city centre.
Waste of money unless it connects to things such as Braehead, SECC / Hydro, and central station.
Waste of money unless it connects to things such as Braehead, SECC / Hydro, and central station.
#4 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 24 Nov 2016 at 17:59 PM
Interested to see what the outcome figure is?
Just what exactly are we getting for our £144mill?
Interesting to see how the new route manages to weave its way around the fuel tanks and nurseries that abound in North Paisley.
Only half the story as plans need to be drawn up how we can use the tram / train capabilities at the other end -- what about upgrading the City Union line and feeding airport traffic from other parts of the network?
Disappointed that a DCC people mover from PGS to the airport has not been put forward. My view is that it would offer a better service and help development in the centre of Paisley.
The proposed 4 trains per hour service is to my mind not enough for the needs of the airport plus it is a dedicated service that eats up capacity at GC.
Just what exactly are we getting for our £144mill?
Interesting to see how the new route manages to weave its way around the fuel tanks and nurseries that abound in North Paisley.
Only half the story as plans need to be drawn up how we can use the tram / train capabilities at the other end -- what about upgrading the City Union line and feeding airport traffic from other parts of the network?
Disappointed that a DCC people mover from PGS to the airport has not been put forward. My view is that it would offer a better service and help development in the centre of Paisley.
The proposed 4 trains per hour service is to my mind not enough for the needs of the airport plus it is a dedicated service that eats up capacity at GC.
#5 Posted by Tom Manley on 24 Nov 2016 at 19:12 PM
agree with #3 above that the benefits would be of much more value if the route stopped at more destinations... or perhaps alternate one direct service to city centre followed by a journey that connects to west end / city centre / with possibility for expansion through to east end and south side... As with potential to expand tube trains the city needs to put in place long lasting infrastructure improvements not just quick fixes! Better connectedness with multiple destinations will really spur development and change in the city - an airport to city centre route alone won't do that much! Paisley Gilmour Street connection got to be good though...
#6 Posted by Yaldy on 24 Nov 2016 at 19:28 PM
"...a city the size of Glasgow (located in an economy riddled with uncertainty in a nation steeply in decline)" you mean. I'll take it
#7 Posted by Brian on 24 Nov 2016 at 20:43 PM
Train would have been the best option,But if it has to be tramtrain then so be it.Mayb crossrail could be added as the city union line could share with train and tramtrains,A proper city metro and using train from Airport to other parts of Scotland ,All linking up to west strett subway,Cumberland st,and Glasgow cross hooking up Argyle line.The potential of city union line is enormous for Scotland.
#8 Posted by tasa on 25 Nov 2016 at 16:14 PM
Why do we need a tram between Paisley and the airport? What a waste of money. What is it with building tram stop airports? If you are going to invest millions in infrastructure at least build it to benefit people's daily lives not just on trips to the airport for tourists.
#9 Posted by Chris on 25 Nov 2016 at 16:21 PM
As a Renfrew resident, I think its disgraceful the freight line into Braehead hasn't been used, and then ran through Ferry village into the airport, this would have greatly increased traffic and revenue along the route, especially when the money is coming from Renfrewshire and Glasgow city funds.
#10 Posted by rankbadyin on 25 Nov 2016 at 16:26 PM
When you look at airports such as Birmingham; where there is a dedicated train station with direct links to the city, London and even Glasgow by rail; and an obvious strategy to place retail, commercial and conference utility right on the doorstep of the airport; it makes the situation of Glasgow all the more rueful.
#11 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 25 Nov 2016 at 21:59 PM
Interesting to see what type of Tram / trains are going to be selected to serve the route?
They will have to be high floor units so that will hurt their use outside the normal rail network. Another reason why this hybrid solution is not the best way of addressing the issue of a fixed link to the airport.
Then there is the question of numbers.
The question of a small fleet used only on this route.
Looking less and less efficient as each question comes to the fore.
They will have to be high floor units so that will hurt their use outside the normal rail network. Another reason why this hybrid solution is not the best way of addressing the issue of a fixed link to the airport.
Then there is the question of numbers.
The question of a small fleet used only on this route.
Looking less and less efficient as each question comes to the fore.
#12 Posted by Fat Bloke on Tour on 26 Nov 2016 at 10:04 AM
Looking at what is on offer hopefully it is only a start and not the complete system. The airport station should be set up as a running station and not an end station.
Trams should be able to enter the airport from the west as in this set up but also from the east so that the airport has connections to Braehead / Govan / SECC and finally somewhere central.
Part 1 / Shown above: City Express system.
Part 2 / New thinking: Southside Connector system.
City centre / SECC + Finniston / Govan + Hospital / Braehead and Renfrew / Airport.
It can take a wiggly route as it is all about connections rather than travel time.
Unfortunately there are issues to overcome.
Street running now points to low floor trams.
Running on rail lines points to high floor trams.
You can flex the airport station to accommodate both but the issue then becomes two different fleets of vehicles -- hopefully a tram builder has a cost effective solution or we do a Manchester.
If this plan was to go ahead I think the station would need to return to its original heavy rail project solution -- south of the multi storey car park rather than to the north shown in the picture above.
One of the many poor quality elements of the Auld Reekie system in the poor location of the airport tram stop.
Almost hidden away as if they are slightly embarrassed by the whole situation.
Trams should be able to enter the airport from the west as in this set up but also from the east so that the airport has connections to Braehead / Govan / SECC and finally somewhere central.
Part 1 / Shown above: City Express system.
Part 2 / New thinking: Southside Connector system.
City centre / SECC + Finniston / Govan + Hospital / Braehead and Renfrew / Airport.
It can take a wiggly route as it is all about connections rather than travel time.
Unfortunately there are issues to overcome.
Street running now points to low floor trams.
Running on rail lines points to high floor trams.
You can flex the airport station to accommodate both but the issue then becomes two different fleets of vehicles -- hopefully a tram builder has a cost effective solution or we do a Manchester.
If this plan was to go ahead I think the station would need to return to its original heavy rail project solution -- south of the multi storey car park rather than to the north shown in the picture above.
One of the many poor quality elements of the Auld Reekie system in the poor location of the airport tram stop.
Almost hidden away as if they are slightly embarrassed by the whole situation.
#13 Posted by Biilly on 26 Nov 2016 at 11:54 AM
I think a loop like the underground would work taking in new stations and existing stations at Renfrew, Braehead ,Queen Elizabeth hospital SECC , Glasgow central and Paisley Gilmour st . This would increase footfall , ease traffic congestion, parking and give people the option of the quick two stop route (Gilmore st / Central)or the slightly longer 5 stop route (via Renfrew ,Braehead,hospital,SECC, Central)depending which circle you take . It would also give people from Ayrshire and the west a link via Gilmour st. Better to get it right now than look back at missed opportunities in the future.
#14 Posted by Campbell McLaren on 8 Dec 2016 at 14:01 PM
The Europeans have a head start over us with tram links.They have been doing this profitably for many years servicing different locations.
For instance,look at Vienna where the tram runs from Vienna to Baden going south-stopping at each commuter village on the way.
The tram amazingly travels on tram lines- on lines servicing the villages,then on to train rails during this journey.
What percentage of passengers heading for Glasgow airport actually wish to start their journey from the centre of Glasgow?
By the way try parking a vehicle for a day or so in the centre of Glasgow.
More detailed homework could perhaps be
carried out on this project it seems by this and the comments on blog above.
For instance,look at Vienna where the tram runs from Vienna to Baden going south-stopping at each commuter village on the way.
The tram amazingly travels on tram lines- on lines servicing the villages,then on to train rails during this journey.
What percentage of passengers heading for Glasgow airport actually wish to start their journey from the centre of Glasgow?
By the way try parking a vehicle for a day or so in the centre of Glasgow.
More detailed homework could perhaps be
carried out on this project it seems by this and the comments on blog above.
#15 Posted by Mr Andy McIntyre on 8 Mar 2018 at 00:13 AM
The ramped access to St James St/Old Sneddon St from the railway imm' South suggests possible connection to Love S/Inchinnan Rd/Abbotsinch Rd in turn Arkleston line by light-rail. Also hybrid tram/train outfits, if (say) interdeck could be compatible with both heights of platform e.g. above-bogie doors only operable on heavy-rail and sunken-floor doors only used at street level.
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