A RENFREWSHIRE business leader has expressed his disappointment after it was revealed the Glasgow Airport rail link is set to be ditched for personal shuttle pods. 

Following a meeting between Glasgow and Renfrewshire council leaders, the Transport Secretary and Glasgow Airport, it has been agreed to work on a business case for the Personal Rapid Transit system.

It would see passengers board the pods like ones used at Heathrow Airport to take them to the station at Paisley where they would catch existing services to Glasgow and elsewhere.

The final choice will be between the tram-train option and the Personal Rapid Transit pod.

READ MORE: Labour MSP hits out at new airport link plans

It is, however, likely that the rapid transit option will be the preferred one and the option taken forward.

Following the announcement, Bob Grant, chief executive of Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce, revealed he was unconvinced by the merits of exploring yet another proposal. 

He was supported by Stuart Patrick, the chief executive of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. 

Mr Grant said: “We question the decision once again to delay taking action to address the transport challenges facing the City Region and surface access to Glasgow Airport.

“The planned rail-link in its current form has been through extensive assessment including 2 STAG reports and 80 design iterations.  The funding exists and the economic case is clear, strongly backed by the business community - yet worryingly other options are now being explored.

“Taking time to develop yet another business case on a previously discounted project will inevitably result in further delays which will also lead to even more traffic on the M8.

“Thousands of jobs are being created in the Glasgow City Region and Renfrewshire with the development of Innovation Hubs such as the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District.  Our concern, along with colleagues in Glasgow is there would appear to be no strategic plan on how to improve capacity across the transport infrastructure to facilitate this economic growth.”

Renfrewshire Council Leader Iain Nicolson, however, was positive about the move. 

He said: “This is a really positive step forward and recognition that a transport link between Glasgow City Centre, Paisley and Glasgow Airport is critical to the success of the city region economy.

READ MORE: Glasgow Airport rail link to be ditched for rapid shuttle pod to Paisley

“It is important we get the right solution which takes in to account competing demands on the existing rail network and delivers for the whole of the City Region. In order to ensure we get the right solution, we now have a clear way forward and agreement to look at a business case for a Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system, which can be delivered quickly and finally make the connection between the Airport and the city that business leaders and investors are crying out for.

“Renfrewshire Council is fully supportive of this approach and will be seeking Cabinet approval in the next few weeks to develop an outline business case to deliver a PRT for 2025.”