Media centre

Thursday 16 Dec 2004

CHRISTMAS ENGINEERING WORK – THE REBUILDING OF THE RAILWAY GOES ON

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Engineering work to take place over the Christmas period in Scotland was announced today by Network Rail. Each year the railway closes on Christmas Day and Boxing Day (except for the Heathrow Express, Eurostar and a few Southeastern Trains services, which run on Boxing Day).  And each Christmas break the company takes advantage of this traditional two-day closure to carry out an extensive programme of engineering work.  The principal work to take place outside the traditional two-day period that will affect Scotland, is engineering work between Edinburgh and Newcastle from 24 December until the morning of 28 December (inclusive).  All GNER services between Newcastle and Edinburgh will be diverted via Carlisle.  A replacement bus service serving intermediary stations between Edinburgh and Newcastle will also be in place. Virgin Cross Country passengers are advised to use alternative services between Edinburgh and Newcastle via Carlisle. First ScotRail will be unable to operate services between North Berwick and Prestonpans. Services between Edinburgh and North Berwick from Friday 24 December until Tuesday 28 December 2004 will terminate and start from Prestonpans. A replacement bus service will operate between Prestonpans and North Berwick calling at Longniddry and Drem. Normal service is due to resume from 0900 on Tuesday 28 December. In addition to this:

• Essential engineering work as part of the West Coast Modernisation Project continues every weekend between 12 December 2004 and 11 June 2005
• Virgin Trains West Coast and Cross Country train services will be diverted and connecting coach services will replace trains unable to run
• First ScotRail services on Sunday 26 December between Milngavie and Lanark will terminate and start from Motherwell.  A replacement bus service will operate between Motherwell and Lanark calling at Shieldmuir, Wishaw and Carluke

  Passengers are advised to check travel details in advance by phoning National Rail Enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or by visiting the website at www.nationalrail.co.uk Announcing this year’s work, Ron McAulay, Route Director, Scotland said: “This Christmas will be busier than ever for Network Rail, its staff and contractors, as our job to rebuild the railway continues.  “Tens of thousands of dedicated railway staff will be hard at work over the festive break, foregoing their Christmas dinners and time with their families to undertake massive engineering tasks, helping to deliver a better performing railway.”