Tuesday 14 Aug 2018
Livingston South station redevelopment programme revised
- Region & Route:
- Scotland’s Railway: Scotland
Work on the programme to redevelop Livingston South station has been extended after encountering unforeseen ground conditions and a subsequent delay in developing an appropriate design for the new lifts to be constructed in the station.
Following the successful completion of the first phase of work to redevelop and extend the station platforms during the 10-day Easter blockade, the team were set to begin pilling to create the foundations for the new lift towers which will improve accessibility at the station.
However, information obtained from further geological investigation (GI) on the area to be used for the lift foundations and for the new access staircase, led to the need to redesign some elements of the proposed work – which had knock-on effects for other elements of the programme.
It is now envisaged that the redevelopment of Livingston South station will be largely completed by December – with the last element of work, the commissioning of lifts, scheduled for February 2019.
Brian Mallon, programme manager for the Shotts Line Electrification programme said, “We are conscious that the current situation at the station is not to the standard that we would want and expect for passengers using the railway.
“With that in mind, we are working with our contractors to expedite those elements of work that need to be progressed in order that we can fully complete the redevelopment and deliver the station that the community of Livingston South expect.
“We apologise for any inconvenience and pledge to do all we can to get the station completed as quickly as we can.”
No additional disruption to journeys through the station is anticipated as the project moves towards completion, however station users may experience some changes to walking routes and other minor inconvenience as outstanding work is completed.
Station users with an questions can contact shottslineelectrification@networkrail.co.uk and follow on twitter @ShottsLineElec for regular updates
Notes to Editors
As well as work to extend the platforms at the station, the redevelopment will see the construction of lifts on both sides of the station to deliver step-free access, installation of new staircases and the re-alignment of existing ramps.
Improvements to lighting and CCTV and enhancements to customer information systems, ticket machines, validators and waiting shelters will also be delivered at the West Lothian station.
The work is a key part of the Scottish government-funded investment to upgrade and electrify the line to improve reliability and enable the introduction of longer, faster trains on the route by March 2019.
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