ScotRail Alliance to keep people moving during major improvement works on Shotts line

Last updated: Friday, 23 February 2018

The ScotRail Alliance will keep people moving during the upcoming improvement works on the Edinburgh – Glasgow via Shotts route this Easter.

The work is the latest stage of the Shotts line electrification project, which is part of the Scottish Government’s rolling programme of rail electrification.

The platforms at Livingston South station will be made longer and wider to allow for the use of modern electric trains through the station. The work will take place during a ten-day closure of the line from 9pm on Thursday, 29 March until end of service on Sunday, 8 April.

The modern electric trains will deliver more seats, faster journeys, and better services for customers. While this work is ongoing, there will also be preliminary works for the installation of lifts to the platform level at the station. In addition, preparations will also be made for overhead power lines to be installed along part of the route between Holytown and Midcalder rail junctions.

To allow this to take place, buses will replace all trains on the route between Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central via Shotts from 9pm on Thursday, 29 March, to the end of service on Sunday, 8 April.

Full details on changes to train services can be found here .

Perry Ramsey, the ScotRail Alliance’s operations director, said:

“We are building the best railway that Scotland has ever had, and that really does apply to all of Scotland.

“When all these works are complete, our customers in Livingston will be able to benefit from a much improved station environment, and the ongoing work to electrify the line will deliver new trains, more seats, and better services for our customers.

“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

In addition to replacement buses, season tickets for certain stations on the Shotts line will be accepted on alternative routes. More information on this is available here.