Subway damage halts motorway work

Engineers are looking at the cause of the cracks near West Street

Work on a section of the M74 extension will not restart until engineers are satisfied there will be no damage to Glasgow's subway system.

Piling work is suspected to have caused cracks in some subway tunnels last week - disrupting the network.

Subway operator Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) will not "consent" to more piling work until it is satisfied more problems will not arise.

Its engineers are working with those from project contractor, Interlink 74.

Piling work

A spokesman for SPT told BBC Scotland: "SPT has withdrawn consent for further piling works on the M74 construction near West Street Subway station.

"Our engineering consultants are working with the contractors, Interlink M74, to reach agreement on what engineering measures need to be put in place to ensure that piling can continue whilst ensuring the integrity of our Subway tunnels."

Travel on the subway system was disrupted last week after engineers found cracks in a tunnel between West Street and Bridge Street stations.

The area was close to where piling work - driving foundations for the motorway underground - was taking place.

Although it has not yet been established if this work was to blame, BBC Scotland understands that it is viewed as the most likely cause by engineers.

Work on the motorway extension is being carried out by Interlink M74, a joint venture comprising Balfour Beatty, Morgan Est, Morrison Construction and Sir Robert McAlpine.

A spokeswoman for Interlink 74 said engineers were working with SPT to resolve the situation.