Media centre

Wednesday 21 May 2008

NEW RAILWAY ON THE DOUBLE FOR BATHGATE LINE

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

• Double tracked services to begin operation in October

Network Rail will complete the first phase of the Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link when double tracking of the line between Bathgate and Edinburgh is commissioned in October this year.

This new section of line is part of the £300 million Transport Scotland funded Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link Project, and will see improved reliability of services on the busy Bathgate to Edinburgh commuter route.

To enable the first phase to be completed on time, the project requires alteration to services on the main Edinburgh-Glasgow and Edinburgh to Dunblane routes via Linlithgow for a five day period in October along with two further weekends that month. In addition, the Bathgate branch line will also require alterations to services on several weekends during this summer and autumn, along with a two week closure in July and a 10 day closure in October. Full contingency plans will be put in place to provide revised transport arrangements for all passengers.

David Simpson, Network Rail Route Director, Scotland commented:

“The Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link is progressing extremely well, with the double tracking of the branch line to Bathgate now nearing completion. New platforms at Livingston North and Uphall will also be completed by October, providing passengers with a much more reliable travelling experience.

“To enable the work to take effect, Network Rail has to integrate the newly double tracked line with other parts of the rail network. In this case, that will require new track and signalling at Newbridge Junction, on a section of line also used by the Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh to Dunblane services. This will require disruption to services between Edinburgh and Linlithgow for five days in October and two subsequent weekends. The Bathgate branch will also require several instances where the service will be replaced by rail replacement bus services to enable us to commission the new track.

“Network Rail has been working closely with Transport Scotland and the train operators who will be affected by this enhancement work. In particular, we are working to provide First ScotRail with a strengthened rail service between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central as well as two trains per hour between Edinburgh and Queen Street via Dalmeny. Bus services will be provided on other routes.

“We understand that this work will require passengers to review their transport arrangements, however, we have timed the main closures to coincide with weekends, local holidays and the October half term school holidays to keep disruption to a minimum. There is no ideal time to carry out this type of work but this short term interruption to services will contribute to long term improvements for the rail network in Scotland.”

Steve Montgomery, Operations and Safety Director at First ScotRail commented: ”Long term benefits to rail users will be delivered as a result of these enhancement works. There will be disruption to customers but we are working closely with our industry partners to minimise the impact and advise people to leave a little more time for their journey and plan ahead, wherever possible.”

Joe Ross, project manager for Transport Scotland said:

“The Airdrie–Bathgate project will introduce a high quality public transport link for communities in North Lanarkshire and West Lothian. Linking them with the country’s two biggest cities Glasgow and Edinburgh will open up new employment opportunities as well as encouraging more people to choose public transport over their cars.

“An investment of this scale in Scotland’s transport infrastructure will inevitably mean some disruption as the project is being delivered. We have worked closely with our rail industry partners and everything is being done to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum. In the meantime, we would thank people in advance for their patience.”

Service Alteration Dates:

Newcraighall / Edinburgh / Bathgate service disruption

Sat 28 to Sun 29 June

Sat 05 to Sun 20 July

Sat 13 to Sun 14 September

Sat 20 to Sun 21 September

Sat 27 to Sun 28 September

Sat 04 to Sun 05 October

Sat 11 to Sun 19 October

Sat 25 to Sun 26 October

Edinburgh / Glasgow service disruption

Sat 12 to Sun 13 July

Sun 28 September

Sun 05 October

Sat 11 to Wed 15 October

Sat 18 to Sun 19 October

Sat 25 to Sun 26 October

Newcraighall / Edinburgh / Dunblane service disruption

Sat 28 to Sun 29 June

Sat 05 to Sun 20 July

Sat 13 to Sun 14 September

Sat 20 to Sun 21 September

Sat 27 to Sun 28 September

Sat 04 to Sun 05 October

Sat 11 to Sun 19 October

Sat 25 to Sun 26 October

Bathgate / Edinburgh Services

All services cancelled with a replacement bus service in operation.

Bathgate / Newcraighall Services

A replacement bus service will operate between Bathgate and Edinburgh; services will run between Edinburgh and Newcraighall.

Edinburgh / Glasgow Queen St Services


There will be two trains per hour calling at Linlithgow, Polmont, Falkirk High and Croy. These services will be diverted and journey times will be extended.
Services will depart Glasgow Queen Street at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour and will depart Edinburgh on the hour and 30 minutes past the hour.
Additional services will be provided during peak times where possible.

Edinburgh / Dunblane Services
Two trains per hour direct between Linlithgow and Dunblane connecting into rail services between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
A replacement bus service will also operate between Edinburgh and Linlithgow / Stirling / Dunblane at peak times

Newcraighall / Dunblane services

0618, 0648, 0718 and 0749 Newcraighall to Dunblane services will run as per the timetable. All other services will start from Edinburgh

TIE Trams related enhancement works

In addition to the work being carried out for the Airdrie-Bathgate Project, two further closures are planned to accommodate Edinburgh Trams works:

5/6 July - Haymarket to Dalmeny

A revised Fife circle service will operate with a replacement bus service will operate between Dalgety Bay and Edinburgh. Services between Edinburgh and Aberdeen/Inverness will be diverted via Stirling.

12/13 July - Haymarket to Linlithgow

Edinburgh / Glasgow Queen St Services - There will be two trains per hour calling at South Gyle, Linlithgow, Polmont, Falkirk High. Services will depart Glasgow Queen Street at 15 and 45 minutes past the hour and will depart Edinburgh on the hour and 30 minutes past the hour.

Edinburgh / Dunblane Services - will start from and terminate at Linlithgow connecting into rail services between Glasgow and Edinburgh.