Train services will resume running over Lamington Viaduct more than a week ahead of schedule from Monday February 22, the ScotRail Alliance has announced.
The bridge has been closed since December 31 2015, after flood damage caused by Storm Frank left it on the point of collapse, severing the main route between Carlisle and Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Engineers battled to shore up the bridge’s badly scoured second pier, and had targeted the first week of March for completion of the project to stabilise the structure and repair the steel bearings that hold the bridge deck in place.
The bad weather and high water levels that led to several delays in January have now subsided, allowing Network Rail to accelerate the programme and re-open the route early.
“I am delighted that we have managed to complete the works at Lamington ahead of schedule,” said ScotRail Alliance Managing Director Phil Verster.
“I understand the impact the closure of Lamington Viaduct has had on customers, and our engineers have been working round the clock since its closure to finish the repairs and get trains back on the West Coast Main Line.
“This project has been a hugely challenging one - involving working out in the Clyde through the worst of January’s storms in a race against time to save the structure. Our engineers have faced atrocious conditions throughout this project and I am really proud of their hard work and their absolute commitment to getting the line open again.”
Verster added: “I really do want to thank customers for their patience and our industry partners for the close co-operation shown over the last two months. By working together we have been able to help limit disruption for passengers by providing diversionary routes for many of the affected services.”
- For more on this story see RAIL 795 published on March 2 2016
FrankH - 15/02/2016 22:37
“I am delighted that we have managed to complete the works at Lamington ahead of schedule,” said ScotRail Alliance Managing Director Phil Verster. If the repair work is finished is it site clearance or allowing materials to harden properly that takes an week from now.