Airdrie Station in line for improvements

An expanded and improved station at Airdrie moves a step closer next week (17 July) as Network Rail starts work to install a new station platform and upgrade existing facilities.

Track laying machine working on Airdrie-Bathgate line_1

The improvements, which also include a new footbridge and easy-access lifts, are an important new addition to the station and form part of the £300m* Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link project.

From December this year, Airdrie and Coatbridge will see an increase from four to six trains an hour to and from Glasgow, including a new half-hourly service to and from Milngavie. Four trains an hour will run to and from Edinburgh Waverley via Drumgelloch, Bathgate, Livingston North, Uphall, Edinburgh Park and Haymarket. Two trains an hour in each direction will serve the new intermediate stations at Caldercruix, Blackridge and Armadale.

Airdrie Station will close on 17 July and reopen on 26 July to allow the improvements to be undertaken. During this short period, ScotRail will operate buses between Airdrie and Coatbridge Sunnyside. Some restrictions to car parking are required at both stations to provide adequate space for bus services.

Ron McAulay, Network Rail’s director, Scotland said:

“The Airdrie-Bathgate project is one of the largest civil engineering projects currently underway in Europe and certainly the biggest railway project undertaken in Scotland for several decades. We are making excellent progress in the construction of this rail line but we are acutely aware that projects of this scale cause some temporary inconvenience for people living nearby.

“While we carry out this work, both in Airdrie station and at other sites across North Lanarkshire and West Lothian, we thank the travelling public and local residents for their continued cooperation and patience. We will work with ScotRail and North Lanarkshire Council to keep inconvenience to a minimum.”

ScotRail operations director Jacqui Dey said:

“We are working hard to minimise disruption to our customers. For the period of the line closure between Airdrie and Coatbridge which occurs during the Glasgow Fair holiday fortnight, it will be necessary to close the car park at Coatbridge Sunnyside so as to allow safe transfer between train and bus for people travelling to and from Coatdyke and Airdrie.”

Also in Airdrie, the rebuilding of Carlisle Road Bridge is well underway. The existing bridge has now been removed and the new structure is taking shape. This will allow for the double tracking and electrification of the rail line. Work on this challenging project is taking place around the clock to help minimise the necessary closure of Carlisle Road (A73) to just eight weeks. The team is on schedule to reopen the road in mid August ahead of the start of the school year.

Good progress is being made on the construction of Drumgelloch’s brand new station, which will include 358 new car-parking spaces. Bus replacement services are running until the new, relocated station opens along with the Airdrie-Bathgate line in December 2010.

Network Rail is working with ScotRail and North Lanarkshire Council to make sure alternative transport and signed road diversions are in place.

The Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link is funded by Transport Scotland.

Key dates at a glance

14 June – Carlisle Road closed for up to eight weeks
17 – 26 July – Airdrie station closed for a period of nine days
16 Aug – Carlisle Road reopens

* Costs stated at Q1 2006 prices