Media centre

Monday 29 Aug 2016

Station Road, Shotts to close for bridge works

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Network Rail engineers will shortly start work to demolish and rebuild the bridge over the railway at Station Road in Shotts.

 

Network Rail engineers will shortly start work to demolish and rebuild the bridge over the railway at Station Road in Shotts.

The work is part of a programme to increase the height between the railway track and bridges on the route ahead of the electrification of the Shotts line by March 2019.

Part of the Scottish Government’s programme of electrification happening all across central Scotland, the work is being delivered by Network Rail.

Network Rail will hold a community drop-in between 4pm and 7pm on Wednesday 7^th September in the Station Hotel where local people can come along and find out more about the project; what is happening when and where and can ask any questions direct to the project team.

The demolition of the bridge on Station Road and its reconstruction is one of the largest and most complicated projects in the route clearance programme - which is why the road needs to close for an extended period from 11 September 2016 until August 2017.

Although the physical work to demolish and reconstruct the bridge does not take 11 months, there is a prolonged period required to initially divert and then reinstate the various utilities which run over the structure.  This work is essential to maintain supply of water, electricity, gas, broadband etc to the village and time has to be factored into the programme to ensure this can happen.

Pedestrian access (and for cyclists who dismount) will be maintained throughout via a temporary footbridge which will be installed early in the project.

Michelle McCaig, Network Rail project manager, said: “Delivering the work at Station Road in Shotts will mark a significant step towards delivering the required height clearance to safely run the overhead line electrification (OHLE) power cables ahead of the electrification of the line by March 2019.

“It’s among the longest and most challenging bridge clearance projects we have in the programme and its location adds to the complexity of delivering the work safely and efficiently.

“We appreciate there will be disruption as a result of this work – particularly as there is  a prolonged period where the road will be closed – but we thank the public for their ongoing patience and support as we deliver this important strategic investment in Scotland’s railway.”

For further information on the work email shottslineelectrification@networkrail.co.uk or follow on twitter @ShottsLineElec

-ends-

 

 

Notes to Editors

Network Rail with contractor BamNuttal are on site and have started preparatory work (site assembly etc) to replace the bridge over the railway at Station Road, Shotts. This is part of wider work on the Shotts line ahead of the electrification of the route by 2019. This project is part of a Scottish Government programme of electrification which is being delivered by Network Rail.

The works involve removing the existing bridge deck and building a new bridge deck with more height clearance between the rails and bridge for the overhead line electrification cables to run safely underneath

A diversion will be in place throughout road closure and road side information signs will be erected to highlight road closure and a diversion route will be in place.

Pedestrian access will be maintained via a temporary bridge which will be installed.

 

Traffic Management overview

 

Lane closures on Station Road 3^rd Sept – 10^th Sept (Temporary Traffic lights )

Full Road Closure 11^th Sept – 15^th Aug 2017

Under our license conditions we are contractually obliged to work, where possible, in a way that minimises disruption to train services ie at night and at weekends.

Impact on Train Services

For safety reasons, some work can only be done when trains are not running ie immediately adjacent to the running line or overhead lifting.   There are a number of weekend blockades where buses will replace trains on the line. These will be publicised separately.

Shift times

Work at Station Road, Shotts will be a combination of both day and night shifts. All trackside night shifts will take place between 10pm & 8am.

Day shift work will be ongoing throughout the bridge works and is 7.30am to 6pm. To maintain the programme day time weekend working will be required for key activities.

Night Shift Operations

10pm Sat 3^rd to 7am Sun 4^th Sept – Foundations for temporary pedestrian bridge

11pm Sun 4^th to 7am Mon 5^th Sept - Foundations for temporary pedestrian bridge

11pm Fri 17^th to 6am Mon 19^th Sept – Installation of temporary pedestrian bridge

10pm Sat 5^th to 7am Sun 6^th Nov – Construct foundations & partially remove access ramp

10pm Sat 12^th to 7am Sun 13^th Nov – Construct foundations & partially remove access ramp

10pm Sat 19^th to 7am Sun 20^th Nov – Construct foundations & partially remove access ramp

10pm Sat 26^th to 7am Sun 27^th Nov – Construct foundations & partially remove access ramp

10pm Fri 6^th to 6am Mon 9^th Jan (Continuous working) – Bridge demolition

10pm Fri 13^th to 6am Mon 16^th Jan (Continuous working) – Bridge deck reconstruction

10pm Fri 20^th to 6am Mon 23^rd Jan (Continuous working) – Bridge deck reconstruction

10pm Fri 27^th to 6am Mon 30^th Jan (Continuous working) – Bridge deck reconstruction

 

Work will be ongoing from September until completion and the re-opening of the road in August 2017