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Friday 16 Jan 2009

COATBRIDGE RAILWAY BRIDGES TO GET £1.5M NEW YEAR FACELIFT

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Network Rail has committed £1.5m to restoring Coatbridge’s two iconic railway bridges.

The project will require old layers of paint to be stripped from the structure, with repairs made to any fatigued metal before new layers of paint applied to preserve the steel. The bridge will be painted in traditional railway colours.

The project, which will begin on 19 January and be completed by the end of March, will restore the bridges to their former glory and help to extend the lifespan of the bridges for decades to come.

Duncan Sooman, Territory Engineer for Network Rail in Scotland said:

“Coatbridge has a great railway heritage dating back over 150 years. During Lanarkshire’s industrial past, Coatbridge was a hugely important railway hub and these bridges were built in 1898 during the peak of industrial activity. The section carrying the line to Motherwell, in particular, was built to elevate the railway and keep it away from increasingly busy roads. They have since become a vital part of the Coatbridge urban landscape and are B-listed by Historic Scotland.

“The work we are carrying out between January and April will help to conserve this important part of Scotland’s working railway heritage as well as improve the appearance of these important Coatbridge landmarks.”

Elaine Smith, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, commented:

"Along with my colleagues Tom Clarke MP and Cllr Thomas Maginnis I have been fighting for the repainting of these bridges for a number of years. I accept that the bridges are structurally sound however their dilapidated state detracts from the many town centre improvements carried out including the major investment is Summerlee Heritage Park.

"I am therefore pleased that Network Rail has now committed to restoring the bridges which will enhance the town centre and the impression of the town for residents, visitors and businesses. The bridges comprise a historical landmark within the town and their restoration will not only show them in their best light but will also give a boost to the town centre regeneration.

"I am delighted that my efforts, and those of my labour colleagues, have not been in vain and the bridges will now return to their former glory."

The Coatbridge railway bridges were built in 1898 by the Caledonian Railway Company and Brandon Bridge Company. One structure carries the main Scottish Central line from Motherwell to Falkirk and Stirling and is situated on the southern approaches to Coatbridge Central Station. The other structure is situated to the east and carries the freight only link line from Whifflet to Coatbridge Sunnyside. Both structures cross Bank Street, West Canal Street and the infilled former Monklands Canal.

The work will be carried out by TI Coatings, specialists in preserving industrial structures.