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Tuesday 15 Jul 2008

NEW RAILWAY ON THE DOUBLE FOR GRETNA-ANNAN

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Network Rail will complete the double-tracking of the Gretna-Annan route in August following a two week closure of the line between Kilmarnock and Dumfries.

Engineering works will run from Saturday, July 19, until Sunday, August 3, and have been arranged to allow Network Rail to carry out substantial rail replacement projects between Kilmarnock and Dumfries. The opportunity is also being taken to simultaneously complete works on the Gretna-Annan project to help minimise disruption for rail users in south west Scotland.

The eight mile, £35m project to double track the railway between Gretna and Annan will provide improved journeys to passengers using the Glasgow & South West line from Glasgow to Carlisle. On completion, the route will also provide an improved freight railway for transferring coal from Ayrshire to power stations in England.

The planned engineering works will affect rail services between Glasgow Central and Carlisle (via Ayrshire) for the duration of the closure. During this period, services to and from Glasgow Central will terminate and start at Kilmarnock, with replacement bus services calling at stations between Kilmarnock and Carlisle.

In addition, express buses will run between Glasgow Central and Carlisle at peak times calling at Dumfries, Annan and Gretna. Buses will also replace trains between Kilmarnock and Carlisle on First ScotRail’s service between Stranraer and Newcastle.

David Simpson, route director for Network Rail in Scotland, said: "The Gretna to Annan route is a vital rail link for both freight and passenger trains and the upgrade is an important part of Network Rail's vision to modernise and grow the railway in Scotland. We are delighted that we are now on the verge of completing this work which will provide increased capacity, less chance of delays and, potentially, more services in the future.

"We are working closely with First ScotRail to provide alternative transport arrangements while this work is completed and would like to thank the local communities for their continued support and patience."

Steve Montgomery, operations and safety director at First ScotRail added: “The double-tracking of this line will deliver rail link improvements to customers in the immediate and surrounding areas. We are advising customers to plan ahead and allow more time for their journey over this period of works.”