Scottish Platform Lengthening
Scottish Platforms lengthened to tackle overcrowding
Deputy Transport Minister Lewis Macdonald confirmed that works at station platforms on four busy suburban commuter lines will start in early 2004 in order to accommodate new and longer trains. The lines affected are the Edinburgh to Bathgate, and Edinburgh to Stirling lines, the Fife Circle, and on the Glasgow to East Kilbride line.
The announcement follows the Executive’s largest ever investment in December 2002 when Iain Gray gave the go-ahead for 22 new trains, more drivers and other measures to improve the quality of passenger journeys across the network, particularly on inter-city routes. It is expected that the first of the new trains will be in operation by October 2003, with all platform lengthening work completed by Autumn 2004.
The Executive is working in partnership with the Strategic Rail Authority on the platform lengthening projects and will provide a significant contribution to these projects costing an estimated £10 million.
Mr Macdonald said: "Our priority is to make a real difference to the quality, comfort and reliability of rail passengers’ journeys and this work will complement our recent investment in new trains to make a real difference to passengers on both commuter and long distance services.
"We want to create a modern, integrated transport system for Scotland and rail has a big part to play in connecting our communities, supporting our local economies and providing quality public transport.
"The investment I am announcing today follows our decision to invest in a £100 million package of new trains for the network and this demonstrates our commitment to improving the quality of people’s journeys and securing the best deal for passengers."
Platform lengthening will take place on the Fife Circle line at the following stations: South Gyle, North Queensferry, Dalgety Bay, Aberdour, Kinghorn, Glenrothes, Cardenden, Lochgelly, Cowdenbeath, Dunfermline Queen Margaret and Rosyth.
On the Edinburgh to Bathgate line platform lengthening will take place at Uphall, Livingston North and Bathgate. Bridge of Allan and Camelon on the Edinburgh to Stirling line will be lengthened.
Pollockshaws West, Giffnock, Clarkston, Busby, Thorntonhall, Hairmyres and East Kilbride stations on the Glasgow to East Kilbride line will have platforms lengthened.
The Transport Minister, Nicol Stephen, confirms that an agreement had been reached with the Strategic Rail Authority to extend 25 platforms on four routes to accommodate 22 new trains shortly set for the Scottish network.
The routes to benefit are:
- Edinburgh Waverley to Bathgate
- Fife Circle
- Glasgow Queen Street to East Kilbride
- Edinburgh Waverley to Dunblane
The Executive will provide £7.4 million for work on the Glasgow to East Kilbride, the Edinburgh to Dunblane lines and Glasgow Queen Street (Platform 1). This will also include funding from the Public Transport Fund for work on car park facilities at Rosyth and Uphall stations. The SRA will provide £8.2 million for work on the Edinburgh to Bathgate line and the Fife Circle.
Mr Stephen said:
"This platform work which is planned to begin by the end of 2003 is a clear signal that we are committed to delivering better services for passengers. By lengthening these platforms, they will accommodate the new six carriage trains which will help improve the quality of people’s journeys on busy routes.
"Today’s announcement shows the real benefits that can come from working together. We want to encourage more people to use public transport where possible but that choice will only be made when there is a high quality, reliable and safe alternative. We have very significant resources in place for public transport. Our challenge now is to show the benefits of that investment."
Nicola Shaw, SRA’s Managing Director of Operations, said:
"This programme of platform extensions will deliver real benefits to passengers in Scotland. From October 2004, ScotRail’s fleet of new, longer trains will be able to stop at an increased number of stations on key internal routes in Scotland, with more seats for passengers and an improved journey experience. This has been achieved through partnership between the SRA, the Scottish Executive and Network Rail, and we look forward to work beginning soon."
Work is expected to start on platform lengthening by the end of the year and is due for completion in October 2004 when the majority of new trains are expected to be delivered to the network.
The 25 stations to benefit are:
- Edinburgh to Bathgate
- Uphall, Livingston North and Bathgate.
- Fife Circle
- South Gyle, North Queensferry, Dalgety Bay, Aberdour, Kinghorn, Glenrothes, Cardenden, Lochgelly, Cowdenbeath, Dunfermline Queen Margaret and Rosyth.
- Edinburgh to Dunblane
- Bridge of Allan, Larbert and Camelon. Glasgow to East Kilbride: Pollockshaws West, Thornliebank, Giffnock, Clarkston, Busby, Thortonhall, Hairmyres and East Kilbride.
Glasgow Queen Street (Platform 1) is a new scheme and funding is included in the £7.4 million.