AIRDIE-BATHGATE RAIL LINK COUNTS DOWN TO START OF CONSTRUCTION

Monday 4 Jun 2007

AIRDIE-BATHGATE RAIL LINK COUNTS DOWN TO START OF CONSTRUCTION

Region & Route:: Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

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. ENDS

Notes to editors

Royal Assent was granted to the Airdrie-Bathgate Railway and Linked Improvements Act 2007 on 8 May 2007, which followed wide consultation with key stakeholders on issues relating to the project and unanimous cross-party support from the Scottish Parliament. The first phase of the project is the upgrade of the Edinburgh-Bathgate line (double-tracking) which will see commuters in West Lothian benefiting from enhanced performance on this line as early as 2008. It is anticipated that services will be running the length of the new railway in December 2010. When complete, the rail link will bring passenger benefits including four more trains per hour in each direction between Glasgow and Edinburgh; shorter travel times; improved reliability of existing services; better access to employment, education and social opportunities; and a reduction in passenger congestion. The environmental benefits include offering a public transport alternative to travelling by car via the M8, a relocated cycle-path and a reduction in congestion. Transport Scotland has committed funding for the project to a maximum of GBP 299.7 million. For further information on the Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link Project see: http://www.airdriebathgateraillink.co.uk

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