AIRDIE-BATHGATE RAIL LINK COUNTS DOWN TO START OF CONSTRUCTION
Sunday June 03, 2007
Advance works for the construction of the Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link will begin this summer following two community forums later this month.
Construction work to enable the double-tracking of the Bathgate-Edinburgh line and the upgrade of both Livingston North station and Uphall Station will begin in June as part of the new GBP 300 million railway line. The line will provide an invaluable new route for communities in West Lothian and North Lanarkshire.
The majority of building works will be timed to minimise disruption to rail travellers, however, several temporary line closures between Bathgate and Edinburgh will be necessary during June, July, September and October.
Two community forums, in Uphall Station and Livingston, have also been arranged to keep communities informed about the construction work and related transport disruption.
Ron McAulay, Network Rail's Director, Scotland said:
“Following the granting of Royal Assent for the Airdrie-Bathgate Railway Act in May, we’re pleased to be able to begin construction promptly. With funding from Transport Scotland and delivery by Network Rail, this line will bring enormous economic and social benefits to Scotland and transform access to public transport within the Central Belt.
“To meet our target opening date in 2010, it is important that work begins on schedule. The work, beginning this summer, starts the process of double- tracking the line between Edinburgh and Bathgate and preparing for substantial improvements to be made at Livingston North station and Uphall Station.
“We have arranged two community forums where the public can obtain further information about these works. While some of this work may require temporary inconvenience for some people, we aim to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum. I look forward to overseeing the construction of this vital transport project and delivering benefits to communities along the line.”
Community forums are scheduled as follows:
12 June: Uphall Station Community Hall, Marr Field Terrace, Uphall, 5pm to 8.30pm
- 5.00pm-7.30pm—Information Centre
- 7.30pm to 8.30pm—Community Forum
13 June: Deans Community High School, Eastwood Park, Livingston, 5pm to 8.30pm
- 5.00pm-7.30pm—Information Centre
- 7.30pm to 8.30pm—Community Forum
The Bathgate-Edinburgh line closures will occur during the following days, with all services replaced by buses operated by First ScotRail.
June/July
2 x Sunday closures: Sun 24/06/07 and Sunday 01/07/07
September
3 x Sunday closures: Sunday 16/09/07, Sunday 23/9/07 and Sunday 30/9/07
October
16 day closure: Saturday 06/10/07 to Sunday 21/10/07
Further details of the September/October closures will be issued later this year.