Media centre

Monday 10 Aug 2009

FULL SPEED AHEAD FOR AIRDRIE-BATHGATE LINE

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Project update: August 2009

Work on one of Scotland’s biggest engineering projects began in earnest this summer, with construction of the new rail link between Airdrie and Bathgate progressing quickly.

On site progress:

· Over 120,000 man hours have been completed by 300 on-site workers on 50 sites in the last month alone

· 17 mile route corridor cleared of vegetation and ground work begun

· Six bridges removed, two in West Lothian and four in North Lanarkshire, to accommodate the new railway

· Thirteen bridges with construction work taking place – nine in West Lothian and five in North Lanarkshire

· Construction work also carried out on two additional bridges on the existing line between Livingston and Bathgate

· Four temporary roads built: Whitburn Road; near the quarry in Blackridge; an access road for Hillend sailing club and on the A89 between Plains and Caldercruix

· Mining remediation works have filled old mine shafts along the route to provide an appropriate, safe foundation for the construction of the new railway

· Drainage works carried out along the entire line or route

· 1,000 foundations and 600 overhead line masts installed on the existing Bathgate-Edinburgh route

· Work to the first new station along the rail link – Armadale – is now underway

· Platforms at Livingston North and Uphall Station stations are in operation with passengers already benefiting from a more reliable service. Double tracking of the line between Bathgate and Edinburgh was finished in October 2008.

· Rock cutting and retaining walls being built adjacent to Hillend Loch

Hugh Wark, senior project manager for Network Rail said:

“It really is an exciting time in the project right now, with lots of activity taking place in the communities which will ultimately benefit from the reinstatement of the rail link. By the end of 2010, people living along this rail line will be connected to Scotland’s largest and busiest two cities, and beyond.

“We have faced some challenges in the last months but we are making great progress. We understand and appreciate that some communities will be affected by road closures over the coming months and we want to thank local people for their patience. We are working with our subcontractors and the local authorities to help reduce the impact to residents and road users.”

Network Rail is re-opening the Airdrie-Bathgate passenger rail link after 50 years of closure. The £300 million*, Transport Scotland funded project also involves upgrading the existing lines between Bathgate and Edinburgh and between Airdrie and Drumgelloch. Once completed, the line will be double-tracked and electrified from Edinburgh to Glasgow and passengers will be able to travel continuously through to Helensburgh.

The new railway will bring considerable benefits for communities along the route, by creating a direct link to Edinburgh and the East and to Glasgow and the West.

*at 2006 prices.

Ends

For media enquiries, contact Craig Bowman at Network Rail:

T: 0141 555 4108
E: craig.bowman@networkrail.co.uk

For general project enquiries email: info@airdriebathgateraillink.co.uk