MAJOR WORK UNDERWAY ON THE EDINBURGH-BATHGATE LINE
Sunday October 07, 2007
The GBP300 million project to create a new rail link between Airdrie and Bathgate entered a new phase this autumn, with a series of line closures now underway to help deliver the new service.
The project, financed by Transport Scotland and delivered by Network Rail, is currently focused on the eastern end of the new rail link, improving existing infrastructure on the Bathgate branch line between West Lothian and Edinburgh. Work to double track the existing route has so far included four Sunday closures in September and early October. An additional 16-day closure began this weekend (6 – 21 October), during which bus services will replace First ScotRail trains.
The project also requires electrification of the central track through the Mound tunnel to Edinburgh Waverley station. This work will be carried out over a nine day period during the Christmas holidays (25 Dec ’07 to 2 Jan ’08) and will involve a series of timetable adjustments. Replacement bus services and temporary timetables will be publicised in advance by the train operating companies.
Ron McAulay, Network Rail Director, Scotland said:
"The Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link is the biggest transport project currently being undertaken in Scotland. In order to bring about the social, economic and transport benefits of this project, some temporary disruption to services is unavoidable. We have been working closely with our rail industry partners to ensure that a robust timetable of replacement bus services is now in place– we are confident that passengers will not face severe disruption.
"The work being undertaken in the Mound tunnel during the Christmas holidays will see the track lowered slightly and over-head lines installed through the middle of the three tunnels.* This work has been carefully planned to take place during the quietest period for the railways in Scotland."
Steve Montgomery, First ScotRail's Operations and Safety Director, said:
"On completion, this project will bring a number of benefits to customers in terms of overall service performance. Whilst they are taking place, we advise passengers to check their journey information which will be available at stations and on our website and to leave a little more time that usual for travelling."
Line closures related to the Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link take place on the following dates:
Bathgate to Edinburgh - services replaced by buses:
• Saturday 6 October to Sunday 21 October
Mound Tunnel works (full replacement timetable TBC)
• 25 December 2007 to 2 January 2008
Services affected will include:
• Edinburgh to Glasgow – reduced to half-hourly service
• Fife services – reduced services
• Edinburgh to Dundee/Aberdeen – reduced services
For more information on their journeys customers are advised to contact National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 (www.nationalrail.co.uk), check posters at stations or contact First ScotRail on 0845 601 5929 (www.firstscotrail.com).
Note: *The most northerly and southerly of the Mound tunnels are already electrified.