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Friday 18 Apr 2008

VITAL £3M TRACK RENEWALS PROJECT FOR AYR LINE

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Network Rail is to invest £3m on replacing track, points and ballast on sections of the line between Glasgow and Ayr.

The vital maintenance programme, which will help deliver a continued regular and reliable service for passengers, will run for four consecutive weekends from Saturday, April 26 to Sunday, May 18 (Apr 26/27, May 3/4/5, 10/11 and 18).

The work will require bus replacement services to operate between Troon and Ayr over the affected weekends, and on bank holiday Monday, May 5. The buses will call at Prestwick Town, Prestwick Airport and Newton-on-Ayr.

Network Rail is working closely with First ScotRail to minimise disruption for passengers and to conclude engineering works as quickly and efficiently as possible.

David Simpson, Network Rail Route Director for Scotland, said: “These works are essential for maintaining the railway and will allow for the continued operation of reliable passenger services in the future.

“We appreciate the impact this work will have on passengers and are focused on ensuring our activities cause minimum disruption. We have also confined the work to weekends to reduce its effects on the travelling public.”

Steve Montgomery, First ScotRail's Operations and Safety Director, added: “Replacement buses will be in operation in both directions and we will do everything possible to minimise inconvenience for customers. We would also advise anyone looking to travel on these days to allow extra time as journeys will take longer than normal.”

Details of revised services are available from National Rail Enquiries at www.nationalrail.co.uk or phone 08457 48 49 50.