Campaigners fighting for the Glasgow Crossrail link have refused to support plans to build a rail tunnel beneath the city centre.

They claim it is too costly and disruptive and could hamper the city's bid for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

The tunnel would cost between £2billion and £4bn.

Lesley Sawers, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "The tunnel is not something we would support.

"Moving towards the Commonwealth Games, we wouldn't want the disruption. It is also a waste of money."

The Crossrail project involves building three new stations at Glasgow Cross, Gorbals and West Street, and using an existing rail crossing over the River Clyde.

Alistair Watson, chairman of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, said: "The reality is the tunnel has been rejected.

"Why would we want to do that when we have a project that would be a fraction of the cost?"

Condemnation of the tunnel scheme came as business leaders stepped up their campaign to boost train services in and out of Glasgow.

And they were joined by transport chiefs and politicians in their call for the £130million Crossrail project to be given the green light.

Pressure is being applied by campaigners ahead of the Holyrood elections and at a time when Transport Scotland - the nation's transport agency - is feared to be dithering.