The Scottish Government has been accused of being lacking in enthusiasm for a multi-million pound rail link to Glasgow Airport.

The Scottish Secretary, David Mundell, said there was disappointment the project was not included in the fast track list of developments revealed by the First Minister.

And the leader of Renfrewshire council, a partner in the project said ministers need to show greater commitment and agree to bring it forward.

The Scottish Government said it was committed to the £1bn City Deal which will fund the link but that there were significant challenges to any rail link from the city centre to the airport.

Read more: Council leaders in call to fast-track airport rail link

Meetings are due to take place between the Transport Minister Humza Yousaf and council leaders for Glasgow and Renfrewshire in the near future but the councils want quicker action.

The UK Government said it was committed to the project.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell was in Glasgow to speak to various groups about Brexit who said he noted it was not on Ms Sturgeon’s fast track list.

He said: “I have picked up very considerable disappointment that the Scottish Government won’t invest in infrastructure.

“The project identified here as the most important is the rail link to Glasgow Airport which has been ignored by the Scottish Government. No effort to bring it forward.”

The UK Government has provided £500m for the City Deal together with the Scottish Government who matched the funding.

The airport train/tram link is the biggest project in the deal, estimated to cost £144m, and be in place by 2024.

Mark McMillan, leader of Renfrewshire Council said the link could be complete by 2022, two years ahead of the original timescale but the only barrier is government commitment.

Read more: Council leaders in call to fast-track airport rail link

He said: “The money is there the route is approved and it is all about unlocking the potential of Glasgow Airport.

“It is hugely important to the economy as Glasgow Airport grows. We hope the government agencies will work with the two councils to accelerate the project. We can bring it forward by two years and it can be ready by 2022.

“The Scottish Government need to be committed to it. We need more enthusiasm for the process.”

He said issues with track and platform capacity at Glasgow central Station require attention of Transport Scotland.

Mr McMillan warned that the airport is unusual for the size of a Glasgow and the surrounding areas to be only reachable by road and congestion on the M8 and at key interchanges is a problem.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said he discussed access with Glasgow Airport this week and said he was looking for agreement with the councils on the benefits and impacts the Government’s investment will bring.

He said: “We are committed to finding a solution to the well understood access problems at Glasgow Airport and would expect the business case is progressed in accordance with industry requirements.

Read more: Council leaders in call to fast-track airport rail link

“In the context of the continued challenging economic environment, it is really important that we work with all partners and explore all options to support the economy.

“We remain fully supportive of the Glasgow City Region Deal and are keen to see its success recognising that there are significant challenges to the delivery of any rail link to Glasgow Airport.”