The ScotRail Alliance will keep people moving during the upcoming improvement works between Stirling and Alloa.
The work is the latest stage of the Stirling – Dunblane – Alloa electrification project, which has been underway since November 2016. This is part of the Scottish Government’s rolling programme of rail electrification.
Overhead power lines will be installed along the length of the 6.5 mile route, which will pave the way for the introduction of electric trains on the route.
These trains will deliver more seats, faster journeys, and better services for customers in the Central Belt. To allow this to take place, buses will replace all trains on the route between Stirling and Alloa from Saturday, 17 March until Sunday, 15 April.
Engineers will be working day and night to install overhead power lines, and associated equipment, for use by electric trains. Steel masts will be erected to carry the overhead cables, which will then be attached, and the equipment aligned.
Both rail customers and those living near the railway line will benefit when the project is complete:
- Many services will be operated by electric class 385 trains, which will offer a better experience and reduce some journey times from Stirling to Glasgow and Edinburgh.
- More seats on services between Alloa, Dunblane, Bridge of Allan, Stirling and Edinburgh.
- Less noise and better air quality for those who live and work near the railway.
While most services to and from Stirling will be unaffected by the works, all customers travelling through Stirling during the works are encouraged to plan their journey in advance.
For customers in Alloa, replacement buses will connect with trains to and from Glasgow.
Full details on changes to train services can be found here .
David Dickson, the ScotRail Alliance’s infrastructure director, said:
“We are building the best railway that Scotland has ever had, and that really does apply to all of Scotland.
“The investment we are making to electrify the line between Stirling, Dunblane and Alloa will bring major benefits to customers. We will deliver faster journeys, more seats, and better services.
“We understand how frustrating it is for customers when their regular journey is disrupted, and we will be doing all we can to keep people moving.
“We are encouraging customers to leave extra time for travel, and plan journeys in advance. All train and bus times are available at scotrail.co.uk, as well as on our app.”
Notes
- Buses replace trains between Stirling and Alloa (in both directions) from Saturday, 17 March to Sunday, 15 April.