FEARS were raised today that the Glasgow Airport Rail Link project could be scrapped.
FEARS were raised today that the Glasgow Airport Rail Link project could be scrapped.
Ministers are in talks with engineering experts and airport bosses to work out if the £400million project is still deliverable.
It comes after complicated engineering work forced transport bosses to delay choosing a contractor.
Neither the Scottish Government nor Transport Scotland was today able to give firm assurances that the link would be completed.
Work to carry the line across the M8 and into the airport will not take place until bosses are certain that infrastructure at the airport can be moved out of the way.
It is still hoped the link via Paisley to Central Station will be completed by 2014 in time for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
However, tendering for the new tracks and bridges has been postponed until work, which is thought to involve moving fuel tanks at the airport, has been deemed possible and cost-effective.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "We are having discussions to see if we can go ahead with the project as planned."
The tender process was to have begun earlier this year between some of the biggest engineering firms in the country.
A consortium of Balfour Beatty, Morgan Est and Vinci (BMV), Carillion, Morrison Construction and Roadbridge/Sisk are waiting to compete for the work, which is worth more than £100m.
The total cost is almost £400m after the £210m airport link project was combined with re-signalling work in the Paisley area.
Transport Scotland, which is responsible for the project, was unable to say for certain the link would be completed, but stated that was still the aim.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: "Work on capacity improvements on the existing railway line between Glasgow Central and Paisley is already committed and well under way.
"The tender for the branch line construction for the Glasgow Airport Rail Link has not yet been launched, pending the resolution of outstanding issues on the works within the airport.
"Work continues to provide assurance that the complicated work in the airport area is fully defined to allow delivery of the branch line for the Commonwealth Games in 2014."
Some preparatory work has been completed, including replacing overhead power cables on the Glasgow to Paisley line.
Stewart Stevenson, Transport Minister, said: "Ministers are committed to the delivery of the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, and any reports to the contrary are inaccurate.
"Work on capacity improvements on the existing railway line between Glasgow Central and Paisley is already committed and well under way.
"The tender for the Branch Line construction for the Glasgow Airport Rail Link has not yet been launched, pending the resolution of outstanding issues on the reprovision works within the airport.
"Transport Scotland is currently in discussion with BAA to ensure that complicated work in the airport area is fully defined to allow delivery of the branch line for the Commonwealth Games in 2014."
