THE recent pessimistic discussion about the viability of the proposed Glasgow Airport tram link ("Airport rail link would be ‘a poor use of public money’", The Herald, November 18, and Letters, November 22 & 23) make depressing reading. But, aren’t we missing the obvious? The Glasgow-Wemyss Bay rail line is at the end of the runway less than one mile from the airport terminal. Is a mile too far to walk ? Why must the train/tram drop you right at the terminal’s front door?
An elevated pedestrian airbridge from a new station on the rail line direct to the airport building will do nicely, thank you. .
There are several favourable advantages:
* Reduced cost;
* Most of the land is already owned by the stakeholders;
* Parliamentary powers are not required;
* Pedestrian bridges are lighter and less expensive than overhead rail;
* The airbridge is less then half the length of the proposed tram track;
* New rolling stock is not required – though it needs a facelift;
* It could be in operation in two years.
It seems to us to be an elegant and economic solution to this long debated vital missing link in the greater Glasgow transport network. And it could be in use by 2020. With most of the land owned by the airport, Renfrewshire Council and Network Rail, protracted acquisition procedure should not be required. So a year of planning, design and fundraising followed by a year of construction should be sufficient.
The two long legs of airbridge from the station and the airport terminal would meet a shorter span over the M8 where it is at its lowest. Emergency exit stairs would be located at each end of the motorway bridge. The airbridges would be glazed, offering excellent views of Ben Lomond and Paisley’s skyline. Each airbridge would have two-way moving pavements or travelators to reduce the journey to less than eight minutes.
The new rail station would have two flank platforms each equipped with waiting space, a lift and up-escalator (if the rail lines could be prised apart, it may be possible to propose a central island platform with twin escalators and lifts). New rolling stock is not required. although a refreshing facelift and new identity/livery would be essential.
Our limited research has not uncovered any similar pedestrian-only proposals. So we commend this to the stakeholders for a full feasibility study. It should fly.
Donald Coutts BSc (Hons), engineer, Maurice Rodger MSc RIAS RIBA, architect,
c/o 5 Old Glasgow Road,
Stewarton.
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