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Tuesday 23 Sep 2008

NETWORK RAIL AWARDS £60M AIRDRIE-BATHGATE RAIL LINK CONTRACT

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Network Rail has awarded a £60m contract to deliver vital elements of the new Airdrie to Bathgate rail link to Balfour Beatty Rail Projects Limited (BBRP).

The multi-disciplinary contract will see Balfour Beatty lay the new track between Airdrie and Bathgate, double track the existing stretch of line between Airdrie and Drumgelloch and electrify the entire route prior to commissioning in late 2010.

The contract announcement comes in advance of the completion of the first phase of the £300M Transport Scotland funded project in October. The double tracking of the line between Newbridge junction and Bathgate will be completed during nine days of intensive activity between 11 and 19 October this year.

Ron McAulay, Network Rail Director, Scotland commented:

“This contract with Balfour Beatty allows us to deliver some of the most significant parts of this complex engineering project. Awarding this contract at this stage allows them to get off to a flying start. Key elements of the work they will carry out will start during the nine day blockade planned for later in October. This contract award represents another major milestone in the delivery of this very important project”

Richard Adams, Managing Director, BBRP said:

“We are delighted to have been awarded this contract, creating a much-awaited link to Scotland’s transport network. Fifty years after the original route was closed, the revival of this route will provide a highly beneficial service to several communities and we are proud to be playing such a significant part in making it possible.”

Work on the new section of line is scheduled to begin in 2009, however, ground investigation work has already commenced.

ENDS