AIRDRIE-BATHGATE PROJECT GOES OUT INTO THE COMMUNITIES
Monday December 19, 2005
A series of public meetings and exhibitions have been announced for the communities of North Lanarkshire and West Lothian to consult them on the latest developments on the proposed Airdrie Bathgate rail link project.
The meetings and exhibitions which will take place throughout January will reveal the latest recommendations for the rail link project which are as follows:
- Re-opening of a rail link between Airdrie and Bathgate
- Two new stations; two re-located stations; three re-constructed stations
- Relocated cycle track
- Electrified double track throughout
- Four passenger services in each direction per hour between Glasgow and the West and Edinburgh Waverley, serving the communities in between
- A minimum target line-speed of 128kph (80mph) for passenger services
- Enhancements to the existing rail network between Airdrie and Drumgelloch and between Bathgate and Edinburgh Waverley
These latest proposals follow extensive consultation and technical studies, the results of which were released recently to local MSPs and West Lothian and North Lanarkshire Councils. The recommendations show the two new stations as Caldercruix and Armadale; the two re-located stations as Bathgate and Drumgelloch Station and the three re-constructed stations as Airdrie; Livingston North and Uphall.
The public meetings and/or exhibitions will begin in Blackridge (Tuesday 10th January) to be followed by Plains (Wednesday 11th January); Caldercruix (Thursday 12th January); Airdrie (Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th January); Bathgate (Thursday 19th and Friday 20th January); Livingston (Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd January) and Armadale (Monday 23th January). Details of times and venues will be advertised within local press and on the Airdrie Bathgate website (www.airdriebathgateraillink.co.uk) nearer to the events.
Ron McAulay, Director, Scotland for Network Rail, the project promoter, commented:
‘This is the chance for people of North Lanarkshire and West Lothian to have their say on the re-instatement of the line and the outline route plans. A tremendous amount of work has got the plans to this stage and we really feel that the route will open up many opportunities for local communities.’
The Airdrie Bathgate rail link project aims to open up opportunities by re-opening the closed section of railway line between Airdrie and Bathgate, improving access from Glasgow and the West of Scotland, and from the East of Scotland from Edinburgh Waverley.
When the project was initially announced in February 2004, recommendations were for a high speed route with no station stops between Drumgelloch and Bathgate. Following initial consultations with councils and the local communities and further detailed studies, two additional stations are now being proposed along the route at Caldercruix and Armadale, two major growth points along the route.
The proposed new rail link will improve the transport network by providing a quick and reliable alternative to car travel, helping to reduce congestion and subsequent vehicle pollution along the M8/A8 corridor. The project is designed to improve access to employment, health and educational opportunities for the people of West Lothian and North Lanarkshire.
The decision on whether or not to build the rail line is dependent on a successful passage of the Bill through Parliament. However, certain areas of preliminary work are expected to start in Spring 2007, as these works are not subject to the Parliamentary process.