THE issue of a hybrid tram-train or traditional rail link between Glasgow Airport and the city centre has been astonishingly controversial over recent years.

Some of this friction has, lamentably, been driven by politics.

However, it beggars belief that, after so many years, the very need for such a link is still being questioned.

In this day and age, it is surely something of an embarrassment for Glasgow on a global stage that international visitors looking to take public transport have only the choice of a bus when they leave the airport.

They could be forgiven for looking around in confusion at the signs to try to find the location of the escalator to take them to a speedy rail link to the city centre.

At some airports around the world, buses do often offer a cheaper alternative to a rail service. Such choice is important, particularly for budget travellers. And it is important to emphasise there is nothing wrong with the bus services between Glasgow Airport and the city centre.

However, passengers using an airport of this scale, to access a city the size of Glasgow, should expect a choice of public transport. For people who need predictable transport between the city centre and airport, whether they are business or leisure travellers, there must be a rail-based service with sufficient frequency to ensure swift journey times. Such links offer certainty of timing for travellers, rather than leaving them at the mercy of the road traffic situation as they board buses or taxis.

The project currently on the table involves specially-designed, hybrid tram-trains using both the existing railway network and a new light rail spur between Paisley and the airport.

Many travellers would find it far more comfortable to travel by tram-train, traditional rail or monorail than by road between Glasgow city centre and the airport, and would likely welcome avoiding the hassle of hauling luggage on and off buses.

The Herald revealed this month that a report by consultant Jacobs had highlighted issues with the proposed £144 million tram-train project, in terms of it resulting in slight increases in journey times between Glasgow and both Ayrshire and Inverclyde. Such delays would, Jacobs calculates, cost the economy £4m-a-year.

Jacobs also highlights pressure on capacity at Glasgow Central station.

No doubt Jacobs’ report is based on rigorous research, and its findings are welcome in terms of raising the question of whether any tweaks or more significant changes are needed to the currently proposed project.

But £4m-a-year is something of a drop in the ocean in the context of the Scottish economy, and surely the capacity problems could be addressed.

Yet some of the reaction, including that from former Labour UK transport minister Tom Harris, appears to have re-ignited debate over whether a tram-train or other rail link is even worth the public money.

There has even been some suggestion that current transport provision to and from the airport, in terms of the bus services, is sufficient.

Such a view demonstrates a lack of vision, and a disregard for the need to make Scotland’s transport infrastructure fit for the modern day.

That is before we even get to the benefits that a major infrastructure project would provide, particularly in these grim economic times, in terms of employment and broader multiplier benefits.

Of course, the project would involve spending a large amount of public money. However, that does not make it any less essential.

The Edinburgh tram project is a fine example of what can be achieved.

That is not to ignore the upheaval and controversy surrounding the construction phase of this project.

However, what has been created is undoubtedly impressive in an international context.

The trams, as well as providing speedy and predictable transport between Edinburgh Airport and the city centre, also offer the type of experience business and leisure visitors from overseas should be expecting when arriving in an international city. First impressions do count. And good first impressions will bring economic benefit, in terms of return visits, word-of-mouth recommendation, and winning big conferences. It is good to see the proposal to extend the Edinburgh tram route to Leith.

Of course, Scotland is different from many other countries in terms of its airport provision. Some people from overseas find it remarkable that the nation has two international airports as close together as Glasgow and Edinburgh.

And it remains sad to see that Prestwick Airport continues to be under-utilised, especially given its major advantages in terms of location and having an established rail link, as well as less problematic weather.

While Edinburgh Airport faces some headwinds to its future expansion plans in terms of flight paths over communities, Prestwick is next to the sea.

It is difficult to escape the impression that, with Glasgow and Edinburgh airports watching closely to see whether the Scottish Government as owner of Prestwick will do anything that might harm their businesses, there has been too much caution in terms of developing plans for this key Ayrshire asset.

After all, as well as building new infrastructure, it is important to make the best use of what you have already. And Prestwick has a great deal to offer.

However, Glasgow Airport is in much need of a public transport option on rails.

Whatever the scheme is, whether it be tram-train, traditional rail, or monorail, it needs to happen fast. Too much time has been wasted.

There is no reason at all why this should in any way be a subject for party political debate.

Rather, everyone needs to work together pragmatically to refine the best solution, make the spending commitment, and get on with it.

In terms of saving time in this process, at least it is possible to overlook one option. After all, the option of doing nothing would be sheer folly.