AIRDRIE-BATHGATE SURVEY WORK ON TRACK

Wednesday 22 Aug 2007

AIRDRIE-BATHGATE SURVEY WORK ON TRACK

Region & Route:: Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Detailed surveys to map out the precise route of the new Airdrie-Bathgate Rail link have begun. Over the next nine months, Network Rail will be completing the detailed design of the new 15 mile railway, which will involve extensive ground investigation surveys and some de-vegetation along the route. To enable this work to be completed and for construction work to begin, Network Rail will be notifying affected owners/occupiers of land access requirements for the project survey in the coming weeks. Most affected landowners have previously been contacted through consultation and the Scottish Parliament’s consideration of the project. Ron McAulay, Director of Network Rail in Scotland commented: "Our priority for the project now is to get out onto site and define the precise route of this new rail line so we can start building next summer. That will mean having to gain access to land along the entire length of the route to complete surveys. We have been keeping landowners and other key stakeholders informed of the process throughout and their support and patience so far has been invaluable. " One such stakeholder is SUSTRANS, which manages National Cycle Route N75. The cycle path runs along the solum of the old railway, which will also form major part of the new rail link. John Lauder, Director at SUSTRANS said, “We are working very closely with Network Rail, Railway Paths Ltd and British Rail Board Residuary to manage the survey process over the coming months. Network Rail has given a commitment to keep the cycle path open for cyclists and pedestrians wherever possible during the period of survey activity. We are pleased to see Network Rail showing sensitivity to the needs of those who use the path and their efforts to ensure access is maintained whenever it is safe to do so” The Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link Project, which received unanimous support from the Scottish Parliament in May this year, is funded by Transport Scotland and delivered by Network Rail.

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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