Introduction

This deviation starts from just south of Sunnyside Junction and passes south through the former North British Railway Coatbridge Central station before crossing over West Canal Street, the former course of the Monkland Canal and Bank Street before rejoining the original route just to the south. It dispensed with several level crossings, the cause of great inconvenience as railway traffic grew and Coatbridge itself developed. A junction for the Sheepford Branch was removed, a new connection being made further south. The original connection to the Langloan Railway was approached from the north, the new deviation ran through its route and a new alignment was provided, with approach from the south. Such was the difference it made that a fountain was dedicated to Alexander Whitelaw, partner in the Gartsherrie Iron Works, who had paid for the works. The fountain still exists today, slightly relocated from its original site.