Portfolio Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 20 November 2024.
Pauline McNeill
Labour
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will consider ring fencing funding in its forthcoming budget to allocate to a Glasgow airport rail link. (S6O-03982)
Ivan McKee
Scottish National Party
The Glasgow airport rail link was superseded by the Glasgow airport access project, which was allocated £144 million as part of the Glasgow city region deal in 2014.
The Glasgow connectivity commission and the second strategic transport projects review recommended a wider metro system that could include a link to the airport. In November 2023, the city region deal Cabinet decided to refocus funding on progressing Clyde metro. Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, supported by Glasgow City Council, is leading the development of the case for investment, which includes the development of the network and funding options for the project’s delivery.
Pauline McNeill
Labour
I asked the Minister a specific question, which I will ask again: what funding will be allocated specifically for the airport rail link? Glasgow is one of the few major cities in Europe that does not have a direct rail link to its airport. I am sure that the minister, who has a Glasgow Constituency, agrees with me that having an airport rail link is fundamental to Glasgow’s economy.
I would like an assurance today that the airport rail link will be a priority for phase 1 of the metro plan that the minister mentioned. Will the minister confirm that the Scottish Government, through Transport Scotland, will allocate the funding to enable the airport rail link to be developed in phase 1 of the project?
Ivan McKee
Scottish National Party
The decision on the priorities in the Clyde metro project is for the partnership and the city council. I can tell the member that the Scottish Government has provided £72 million—50 per cent—of the £144 million through the Glasgow city region deal towards improving public transport access to the airport. The city region deal has subsequently allocated £12.2 million, half of which came from the Scottish Government, to take forward the development of the Clyde metro project case for investment. Transport Scotland is continuing to provide a project assurance and support role.
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