Business leaders should go down a different road

Published on Monday 23 November 2009 21:58

WHEN the heads of our six major business organisations intervene on an issue of important public policy we should listen to what they have to say.

Urging ministers to rethink plans to scrap the Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL), they argue the project would provide a fast, direct public transport link between Glasgow Airport and the city centre, ease congestion and improve "international connectivity".

By virtue of their unanimity, they must be heard, but even such a distinguished collective is not infallible. There is a strong argument that GARL would bring marginal, if any, benefit to Glasgow, let alone Scotland, as it simply connected the aiport to Glasgow Central station.

But the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link (EARL), cancelled in 2007, would have provided a direct rail link to the country's most successful airport from places as far afield as Dundee and Aberdeen as well as Glasgow.

While some supported EARL, it is odd that this group did not display sustained enthusiasm for the Edinburgh project, which had a far greater potential economic benefit for Scotland.

As there is little chance of GARL being revived, it would be better if business leaders made the case for other vital infrastructure investment. They should intensify demands for an upgrade of the M8 from Edinburgh to Glasgow, a transport artery vital for Scotland's prosperity, but which barely justifies the term "motorway".