Plans have been revealed for a Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system which would take travellers from a new station in Paisley to Glasgow Airport if a project by Junction 29 (Scotland) Ltd is selected as the preferred option for a new airport rail link.

The PRT system, which would run from a relocated Paisley St James station, is one of the two options being considered by the Glasgow and Clyde Valley Cabinet for the proposed Glasgow Airport Rail Link.

The rival tram-train option, which would see carriages running from Glasgow Central to the airport via Paisley, is estimated to cost £144 million and would offer a 16.5 minute direct journey from Glasgow city centre to the airport, with an estimated completion date of 2025.

Using the existing main rail line which goes through Paisley Gilmour Street station, PRT’s backers said their alternative option offers a reduced cost, faster journey times, a quicker completion speed and would cause less disruption.

Junction 29 (Scotland) Ltd said its plan would cost £70-£80 million to deliver over 12 months and would be built alongside the existing network. It also claims that a 1.1 mile journey from the airport would take just four minutes.

Junction 29 (Scotland) Ltd owns a 40-acre site next to Glasgow Airport at Junction 29 of the M8.  The site is large enough to provide a park and ride at this new station plus additional land for a mixed-use development.  The PRT option uses proven technology and features small automated vehicles, which can be different sizes, operating on a network of specially built lightweight guideways.

Managing Director of Junction 29 Ltd, Paul Kelly, commented: “The PRT option offers reduced costs, a faster journey time, can be delivered within 12 months and would significantly ease congestion on the M8 corridor between the airport and the city centre.