Media centre

Friday 5 Jun 2009

BATHGATE BRANCH LINE PREPARES FOR ELECTRIC UPGRADE

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

- Services affected at weekends - ScotRail introduces replacement bus services to minimise disruption

Network Rail will carry out upgrades to the Bathgate branch line this summer in preparation for electrification of the busy commuter line.

Part of the £300m*, Transport Scotland funded, Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link Project, the upgrade work will be carried out during weekends between 13 and 14 June and 8 and 9 August inclusive.

The work will involve the installation of foundations and stanchions to carry overhead wires which will power trains on the fully reopened line by the end of 2010.

A replacement bus service will operate between Bathgate and Edinburgh Haymarket, with train connection s to and from Waverley.

Ron McAulay, Network Rail Director, Scotland commented:

“Construction work on the Airdrie-Bathgate line is progressing to plan and this summer we will be continuing advance civil engineering works on the new line and begin construction of the new Bathgate station.

“On the existing line to Bathgate, we will be preparing the newly double-tracked line for electrification and that will require us to close it to rail services for nine weekends over the summer period and again during autumn.

“Ultimately, the end result of this work will be a greener, faster, more frequent rail service.”

Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, added: “We have done everything possible to keep inconvenience to an absolute minimum. Full plans are in place to provide alternative transport arrangements where required.”

For further replacement timetable information, customers should check the ScotRail website on www. scotrail.co.uk or call National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50.

Further information about the Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link can be obtained from: www.airdriebathgateraillink.co.uk

ENDS