Invites issued to build new rail line to Glasgow Airport

The Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL) took a major step forward today with the start of the procurement process to build the new line running from near Paisley St James station to Glasgow Airport.

Expressions of interest for the GARL Branch Line Phase One project are being sought from companies with expertise in major civil engineering projects involving road, rail and air transport. The contract – which is expected to be worth between £90m and £130m – will be awarded in Summer 2009 with work set for completion by Autumn 2011.

The Glasgow Airport Rail Link will upgrade 9km (5.4 miles) of existing track between Shields Junction and Paisley Gilmour Street station and lay around 2km (1.2 miles) of new track between Paisley St James station and Glasgow Airport.

Work on the line – which crosses St James playing fields – will involve building embankments, the construction of bridges across three minor roads, building a new 140m single-span bridge across the M8 and the construction of a new airport rail station. The majority of the rail line, including the new station, will be carried on a viaduct.

Glasgow Airport Rail Link is being delivered by Transport Scotland and Network Rail with additional financial support from BAA and the European Commission, through a Trans-European Networks Transport (TEN-T) grant.

Stewart Stevenson, Minister for Transport, welcomed the latest milestone in the flagship public transport project for the West of Scotland:

"This is another important step towards a fast, direct public transport link between Glasgow Airport and the centre of the city.

“The real progress being made on GARL clearly shows this Government’s commitment to investing in crucial transport projects to promote sustainable economic growth in the west of Scotland and beyond.

“Transport Scotland assumed the delivery powers for the project a few short weeks ago and I am pleased they are making such swift progress on what is the biggest single element of GARL. My officials are already aware of significant interest in the construction industry for what will be an impressive feat of civil engineering in its own right."


Ron McAulay, Network Rail Director, Scotland, said:

“Network Rail welcomes this investment in Scotland’s railways and we eagerly anticipate the huge benefits that this vital project will deliver. We look forward to working with Transport Scotland and the successful contractors on this important new addition to the railway network.”

A detailed survey of ground conditions along the line of the new spur is almost complete and work is continuing on the 11 temporary football pitches and changing facilities being provided at seven locations across Renfrewshire during construction of the new link. These will give local footballers alternative places to play when work starts on the planned viaduct across the St James Playing Fields in Paisley. All new football pitches are expected to be ready for use by October 2008.

In December 2007, Renfrewshire Council gave the green light for a new community sports pavilion to be built on the playing fields. The existing changing rooms will be knocked down and replaced as part of the project, with a new state-of-the-art pavilion for 40 teams, meaning all 20 pitches on the redeveloped site can be used.

In April, the Minister for Transport announced the project had reached an appropriate stage for Scottish Government agency Transport Scotland to assume the powers to deliver GARL from SPT.

For further information see http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/projects/garl