Plans to bring trams back to Glasgow after more than half a century were set out by council leaders on Friday. The £144M Glasgow Airport Access Project will see a new tram-train link built to connect the airport with Paisley and the city centre.

This 18.5km service aims to provide a reliable alternative to road transport and prevent motorway gridlock on the M8, which is used by more than 80% of those travelling to and from the airport.

It will run on the existing railway network with a new light rail spur from Paisley and the end to end journey will take less than 17 minutes.

“We’ve long argued that a new rail link between the airport and the city centre is essential for the thousands of tourists and business travellers who fly into and out of Glasgow every day,” said Glasgow City Council leader Frank McAveety.

Renfrewshire Council leader Mark Macmillan added: “Improved transport connections will support the growth of the airport and open up the area to tourism and businesses, bringing inward investment and creating jobs for local people.”

Tram-trains were chosen as the preferred option for improving surface transport to the airport after an appraisal said they offered the greatest opportunity to encourage people to use public transport.

Glasgow Airport head of planning and development Ross Nimmo said: “This is great news for travellers and whether they choose the train, the bus or the car, Glasgow Airport will be easier to get to than ever before.”

Plans for the scheme are set to be endorsed by the Glasgow City Region Cabinet next month and, if approved, the system would be operational by 2025.

The project is the flagship scheme for the £1.13Bn Glasgow City Region city deal.

Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Bob Grant commented: “Glasgow Airport is a key economic driver for the whole of Renfrewshire and greater Glasgow. Our most important asset needs an effective transport infrastructure which will allow businesses to service new markets, attract and retain staff and maintain a competitive advantage.

“We are delighted to see these plans evolve and the demand from the business community is clear: three quarters of companies surveyed said this link would boost their sales or turnover.”