A local service approaches Glasgow Central. Picture www.upmain.com

Pressure is mounting on ministers to reverse a decision to axe the Glasgow airport rail link, with business leaders, in a letter to finance secretary John Swinney, saying “The project is not only desirable, but affordable.”

The letter follows a meeting between Mr Swinney, CBI Scotland, the Federation of Small Businesses Scotland, the Institute of Directors Scotland, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, Scottish Financial Enterprise and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry.

Chambers of Commerce chief executive Liz Cameron described the project as “a critical piece of a wider jigsaw”.