The Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL) is a key public transport project for the west of Scotland. The project represents Scottish Ministers’ commitment, through Transport Scotland, to invest in Scotland’s transport networks for the long-term and sustained benefit of the national economy.

GARL will provide a fast, reliable service every 15 minutes between Glasgow Central station and Glasgow International Airport when it is completed in 2011. The journey will take just 16 minutes, making one stop at Paisley Gilmour Street before reaching its final destination at a new purpose-built station at the airport.

GARL will use existing track between Glasgow Central and Paisley Gilmour Street, with rail line upgrade work from Shields Junction to Arkleston Junction to reinstate a third track.

A new stretch of railway line − 2 kilometres in length − will run from the St James Station, near Paisley, to the airport. The electrified, double-track line will be built mainly on a newly constructed embankment. In addition to the new platform at Glasgow International Airport, another platform will be built at Central Station to provide capacity for the new service.

The rail link will be 15 km (9 miles), comprising:

• Branch Line and Airport Station – new dedicated rail corridor and station facility.

• Three-Track Main Line – enhancements to the existing main line between Shields Junction (West of Glasgow Central) and Arkleston Junction (East of Paisley Gilmour St).

• Wallneuk Junction improvements – including changes at Arkleston Junction.

• Glasgow Central – extended platform and associated concourse, structural and traffic management works.