Media centre

Notes to editors

The following projects are examples of the works already being undertaken by Network Rail in the Scotland: Airdrie-Bathgate A GBP 300million re-opened railway line between Drumgelloch and Bathgate Upgrading the existing railway line between Bathgate and Edinburgh and between Airdrie and Drumgelloch New stations at Caldercruix and Armadale; relocated stations at Bathgate and Drumgelloch; and upgraded stations at Airdrie, Livingstone North and Uphall Station Four passenger services per hour in each direction between Glasgow and Edinburgh A new relocated cycle track between Airdrie and Bathgate Provides improved direct access to Glasgow & Edinburgh for people living in the Airdrie to Uphall corridor Creates enhanced public transport opportunities to those without access to private cars Contributes towards increasing the number of people using public transport in Central Scotland Gretna-Annan GBP 35million project to double the track the railway between Gretna and Annan station. The eight mile stretch between Gretna and Annan is an important passenger route from Carlisle via Dumfries to Ayrshire and on to Glasgow Central. It is the main route for the transportation of coal from the freight terminal at Hunterston in North Ayrshire and the opencast sites in South Ayrshire to power stations in England. Increased line capacity will allow peak time freight transport to be accommodated with greater ease. In addition, the double-tracked line will provide a new diversionary route for trains on the Glasgow & South West route as well as Virgin pendolino trains traveling up West Coast Main Line. The work will be complete by February 2008. The upgrade will include works to several bridges along the length of the line - Stonehouse road bridge, Bellevue Road bridge, and Stonehouse farm access bridge. Doubling the track will reduce delays and make passenger and freight trains faster and more efficient. Waverley Station redevelopment Waverley Station is one of the UK’s busiest with passenger throughput - Circa 14.5 million per annum. The station currently accommodates 576 services per day. Further growth is predicted as the Scottish Executive continues to fund the improvement and development of rail services. To accommodate the extra demands the number of platforms will increase from 14 to 18 to accommodate 4 additional trains per hour. The GBP 150 million investment will ensure that there is enough capacity to meet the needs of the predicted service growth. The project will deliver significant operational benefits to train operators and passengers. These works are the key to new services and expansion of existing services. Improved access to the station in accordance with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) – improving passenger travel quality. Glasgow Central £85million investment in the station and the surrounding rail infrastructure Renewal of major signalling works, Creation of a new engineering access point from Commerce Street Refurbishment of a signalling gantry located above the main route into the station Replacement of telecoms, electrical equipment and other supporting infrastructure