Media centre

Monday 9 Aug 2010

AIRDRIE WORKS NEAR COMPLETION

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Major engineering work on the new Airdrie-Bathgate rail link is nearing completion and the entire route has now been handed over from the civil engineering contractor to the track laying contractor. However, complex service redirection works by utility companies will continue on the Carlisle Road bridge in Airdrie for a week longer than anticipated.

As part of the construction of the new rail link, Network Rail has replaced the old bridge deck to allow more room for the new double-tracked railway and overhead power cables. The road diversion across the bridge will remain in place until 24 August.

Ron McAulay, Network Rail’s director, Scotland said:

“We apologise for this additional disruption to traffic flow through Airdrie. Work by utility companies to redirect their services that cross the bridge have proved exceptionally complex so we are now working to reopen the bridge by 24 August but will do all we can to complete the work earlier.

“The overall programme for building the railway has not been affected by this delay and we still expect to see track laid all the way to Airdrie station by the end of August, with the line open to the public by 12 December.

“I’d like to thank residents and road users again for their patience as we work to complete these major public transport improvements.”

The work on rebuilding Carlisle Road bridge, a major engineering and logistical challenge involving co-operation between Network Rail and a number of agencies and organisations, began in May. Network Rail has worked with North Lanarkshire Council to make sure alternative transport and signed road diversions are in place.

The works are part of ongoing developments in the Airdrie area. Significant progress has already been made on Drumgelloch’s brand new station which will include 358 new car-parking spaces.

The Airdrie-Bathgate rail link is funded by Transport Scotland.