The Glasgow Airport rail link will cross football pitches

The call came from a Holyrood committee scrutinising plans for a �160m link between Glasgow Central Station and Glasgow Airport.

The legislation to build the link is being promoted by the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT).

MSPs said a commitment must be made to provide four pitches at Paisley.

Their report has called for a pledge to upgrade existing pitches at St James' Park and to provide two new pitches at Ferguslie Park.

'Consultation rights'

MSPs also pledged to make improvements on the legal requirements to reduce the impact of construction.

Hours in which construction work can take place have been reduced and a greater monitoring role is being given to councils.

The Glasgow Airport Rail Link Bill Committee Convener, Margaret Jamieson, said: "We will amend the bill to increase significantly the protections offered to those affected by the rail link's construction and to ensure greater consultation rights for local people during this period.

"We have also reduced the initial period available to the promoter in which to undertake construction in the hope that this will reduce anxiety and uncertainty for affected people and focus energies on starting work as soon as possible."