On the double for rail link route

The new line could benefit commuters across the country

Work to lay double tracks as part of a �300m project to reopen the railway line between Bathgate and Airdrie will be completed in October.

Services on the Edinburgh to Glasgow and Dunblane routes via Linlithgow will be affected for a five-day period in October and two weekends.

The Bathgate line will also require alterations to services on several weekends during the summer and autumn.

There will be a two-week closure in July and a 10-day closure in October.

David Simpson, Network Rail route director, said full contingency plans would be put in place to provide revised transport arrangements for all passengers.

There will be disruption to customers but we are working closely with our industry partners to minimise the impact Steve Montgomery First ScotRail

He said: "The Airdrie-Bathgate rail link is progressing extremely well, with the double tracking of the branch line to Bathgate now nearing completion.

"New platforms at Livingston North and Uphall will also be completed by October, providing passengers with a much more reliable travelling experience.

"To enable the work to take effect, Network Rail has to integrate the newly double-tracked line with other parts of the rail network."

Steve Montgomery, operations and safety director at First ScotRail, said: "Long-term benefits to rail users will be delivered as a result of these enhancement works.

"There will be disruption to customers but we are working closely with our industry partners to minimise the impact and advise people to leave a little more time for their journey and plan ahead, wherever possible."

Joe Ross, project manager for Transport Scotland said: "The Airdrie-Bathgate project will introduce a high quality public transport link for communities in North Lanarkshire and West Lothian.

"Linking them with the country's two biggest cities Glasgow and Edinburgh will open up new employment opportunities as well as encouraging more people to choose public transport over their cars."

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