Is Gatwick Airport linked to the rail network
by a shuttle?
The SNP has scrapped plans for a direct rail link between the city centre and Glasgow Airport. Instead, there are proposals for an alternative ‘shuttle pod system’ between the airport and Paisley Gilmour Street railway station.
The SNP leader of Glasgow City Council has claimed this mirrors the set-up at Gatwick Airport. Is she right?
The Claim:
“… A dose of realism about transport links to Glasgow Airport. Some Labour MSPs are so out of touch they think a shuttle link is something out of science fiction, though anyone who’s travelled through Gatwick has used one.”
Councillor Susan Aitken, SNP leader of Glasgow City Council, Twitter, February 12th, 2019.
The facts
-
Glasgow Airport is one of the largest airports in the country without a fixed rail link.
-
Proposals to build a Glasgow Airport Rail Link have now been scrapped twice by the SNP.
-
Gatwick Airport has its own dedicated rail station on the main network, which connects directly to London via the Gatwick Express and has trains that travel directly to Brighton and over 100 destinations.
-
Gatwick Airport has a shuttle link that only moves passengers between the two terminals at the airport.
What the experts say
“Gatwick is the best rail connected airport in Britain, linking passengers to 129 train stations directly and over 700 within just one change.”
Gatwick Airport website.
“Hi Susan, our train station is located in the south terminal where we've direct rail links to London. We also have the National Express coaches in both terminals which I think you're referring to on our website that'll also connect you directly to London.”
Gatwick Airport Twitter account in response to Susan Aitken.
Scotland in Union Fact Check Conclusion:
Anyone who has travelled through Gatwick knows there is a rail station that connects
directly to London.
There is a monorail at the airport that moves passengers around the airport terminals – it cannot be compared to a proposed shuttle link between Glasgow Airport and Paisley’s main rail station.
It is truly bizarre that Susan Aitken is using this false comparison to justify the SNP’s decision to cancel the proposed Glasgow Airport Rail Link (for the second time).
It is Cllr Aitken who, in her own words, is ‘out of touch’.
Is Gatwick Airport linked to the rail network
by a shuttle?
It is truly bizarre that Susan Aitken is using this false comparison to justify the SNP’s decision to cancel the proposed Glasgow Airport Rail Link (for the second time).
