Date: 15/08/2001

Railtrack


Post Hatfield Crash repairs


On the 15th there were three locations affected by Gauge Corner Cracking.

200 points and 75,000 yards of track have been renewed.


Junction remodeling


40 junctions which are known to be bottlenecks are to be remodeled.


Speed restrictions


As of the 15th 53 speed restrictions existed in Scotland.


New station facilities and station regeneration


81 stations have been identified for new toilets.

New Information Systems (CIS) will be installed at Hyndland, Partick and Queen Street Low Level.

Partick station is to be refurbished and platforms resurfaced.

Gourock station is due to be rebuilt and Railtrack is in discussion with developers.

Perth station is to be regenerated with footbridges and canopies renewed.

Broughty Ferry has been rebuilt at the cost of £1,000,000.


Train Protection Warning System


Installation of Train Protection Warning System on Scotland^s railways and trains continues and is expected to be complete by December 2002.


Edinburgh Crossrail


The contracts for the Edinburgh Crossrail scheme (reopening of freight only route from Portobello to Brunstane and Newcraighall to passengers) have been signed with the council and contractors.


Stirling to Alloa and Dunfermline


The details of reopening the closed but mostly extant line from Stirling to Alloa and on to Kincardine have not yet been resolved.


Larkhall to Milngavie


Although there have been some doubts about the reopening of the closed line between Larkhall and Hamilton, Railtrack and Strathclyde Passenger Transport Executive are continuing discussions.


Aberdeen to Inverness improvements


Railtrack is considering its options for improving capacity of the Aberdeen to Inverness line.


A loop may be opened at Orton.


Forres loop may be altered to run by the Forres goods loop and a two platform station opened on the loop.


Signalboxes between Elgin and Nairn may be closed.


Proposals will be drawn up to ^level 4^ (complete design) and given to the Strategic Rail Authority by the end of the year. Actual changes will be delayed as work on signaling is being focused on installing Train Protection Warning System until December 2002.


Members of the RPC and public suggested that perhaps a section of double track at the beginning of the route in Aberdeen and Inverness would help - such as that which the Inverness and Perth has. It was also commented that the station at Keith can be a bottleneck as the loop is located to the east of the station - a train at the station has to occupy the Keith to Elgin section and consequently trains have to be held at Keith loop or Elgin loop when there is a train at the station.


Cornton Level Crossing


Cornton Level crossing, by Stirling, is fitted with cameras which photograph every road vehicle which passes through the lights at red. 250 vehicles were photographed between January and May this year, many belonging to local people. The crossing has been checked and complies to safety standards. The council and Railtrack are considering further traffic calming options including permanent closure of the road.


Ninewells


The council in Dundee is considering opening a station at Ninewells which would serve new developments in the area, the airport and Ninewells Hospital.


Tay Bridge repair


Repairs to the Tay Bridge are due to be complete in 2003 and will allow higher speed running on the bridge and freight to pass over it.


Edinburgh Park


Railtrack and New Edinburgh Ltd have resolved difficulties and a station at Edinburgh Park can now be built. It could be open by 2003.

Related news items

Tags: x Railtrack x Crash x Hatfield x Tay Bridge x Glasgow Queen Street x Hyndland x Partick x Perth x TPWS x Edinburgh Crossrail x Portobello x Brunstane x Newcraighall x Alloa x Larkhall x Forres x Elgin x Nairn x Cornton Level Crossing x Ninewells x New station