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Tuesday 8 Jul 2008

URGENT REPAIRS REQUIRED ON GLASGOW SUBURBAN LINE

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

• Collapsed mine works cause disruption to Cathcart services

Services on the Cathcart Circle line on the south-side of Glasgow are to be restricted between Tuesday 22 July and Sunday 17 August to allow for urgent repairs in the Pollokshields East area.

As a result, First ScotRail will be running a revised timetable between Glasgow Central and Neilston and Newton over the four week period while Network Rail carry out repairs to subsidence caused by ancient mine works in the area. Some journey times will be extended by around seven minutes and customers should be aware that there will be revisions to departure and arrival times.

The works will result in no services at five stations along the Cathcart Circle line – Pollokshields East, Queens Park, Crosshill, Mount Florida and Cathcart.

Raymond Johnstone, programme manager for Network Rail in Scotland commented:

“At the end of May 2008, we identified subsidence near the Cathcart Circle line just south of Pollokshields East station. This coincided with works being carried out by developers on an adjacent site. A speed restriction of 5mph was imposed immediately and watchmen were assigned to the site to monitor the track condition after every train movement.

“A full survey of the site by Network Rail has identified the cause of the subsidence. Ancient mine workings four metres below ground have partially collapsed, causing the ground near the track to subside.

“In order to fix the problem, Network Rail considered several options and all but one would have involved excavation of the site and long term disruption to train services and local residents for many months. The solution involves drilling bore holes and filling the gap beneath the ground with grouting material. This will require a four week closure of the track in this area.”

Steve Montgomery, Operations and Safety Director at First ScotRail said:

“We will be operating as comprehensive a timetable as possible during this time in order to minimise the impact on our customers. Where a rail service cannot be operated, alternative transport will be available and staff will be on hand to provide assistance. Customers should check our website for timetable information, plan ahead and allow a little more time for their journey.”

Customers normally travelling from Pollokshields East, Queens Park, Crosshill, Mount Florida and Cathcart stations are asked to use the following bus operators: First Glasgow, City Sprinter, Arriva.

First ScotRail Season Ticket holders will be able to travel on these services on production of their pass. Customers with zonecards are reminded that their tickets will also be valid for travel. Customers who do not have a ticket, will be required to pay the bus operator, the fare for their journey.

A half hourly shuttle bus service will be in operation between Pollokshields East and Kings Park. This will call at all five stations and connect in to and out of services at Kings Park to Newton and Neilston.

Revised timetable posters will be available at all stations along the Neilston and Newton lines. Customers using wheelchairs should contact the First ScotRail assisted travel line on T: 0800 912 2901 / Minicom T: 0800 912 2899.

The work, being carried out by Edmund Nuttall on behalf of Network Rail will cost approximately £2m.

Information on timetables and alternative transport is available at www.firstscotrail.com