Wednesday 29 Sep 2010
SCOTLAND’S NEWEST RAILWAY LINE GOES LIVE
- Region & Route:
- Scotland’s Railway: Scotland
Overhead power lines on the new Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link will be electrified this Sunday in preparation for the opening of the line in December 2010.
From October 3, the overhead lines will be operational ahead of driver training commencing as train crews familiarise themselves with the new route before the start of passenger services on December 12.
To coincide with the electrification of the infrastructure, Network Rail is holding a series of rail safety event at primary and secondary schools along the length of the new line to educate youngsters about the risks of trespassing near the railway.
With 25,000 volts of electricity running through the overhead cables, being too close to the wires by trespassing on the railway or making contact with these wires and associated equipment is extremely dangerous and can be fatal.
Ron McAulay, Network Rail director Scotland said: “The electrification of the overhead lines is another significant milestone on the way to delivering a vital new rail link for local communities.
“However, we are also conscious that the railway is a new experience to many in the communities it will serve. We are sending schools a railway safety information pack which contains practical advice and learning resources to equip young people with the knowledge and awareness they need to be safe around the railway.
“Network Rail staff, working in partnership with the British Transport Police, will also be going into schools to highlight the issues and the dangers, answer any questions and offer advice.”
PC Derek Jackson, of the British Transport Police Education Team, added: “This line will cut through communities where, for most people, the railway will be a completely new thing. It is crucial that we do everything we can to get the rail safety message out there. Schools are one part of the equation but the whole community has to get the message; the railways are not something to be messed with and we will prosecute those who do.”
Notes to editors
Every year dozens of people are killed or seriously injured on the railway. There are an estimated 27 million cases of trespass; 640,000 objects placed on the line and four million objects thrown at trains. In the past five years, one in four accidental deaths has been of a person aged between 8 and 18 years and half of all 'near misses' involve children.
The 15 miles of new track built between Airdrie and Bathgate will connect communities in West Lothian and North Lanarkshire by rail for the first time in over 50 years providing greater access to work, leisure and educational opportunities.
As part of the project, Bathgate and Drumgelloch stations have been rebuilt in a new location. Livingston North and Uphall have been upgraded and three new purpose-built stations have been constructed in Armadale, Blackridge and Caldercruix.
The £300m* Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link is funded through Transport Scotland by the Scottish Government.
*At Q1 2006 prices
The ‘No Messin!’ campaign seeks to educate children about the dangers of playing near work sites or railway lines. The campaign is part of an extensive Railway Safety Awareness programme where Network Rail work very closely with the British Transport Police (BTP). If you are interested in finding out more about our safety initiatives then please visit our website at : www.no-messin.com or would like a presentation or more information from a member of the BTP education team, please contact PC Derek Jackson, by email on Derek.Jackson@btp.pnn.police.uk
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