02.08.17
NR erects first mast on Shotts electrification project
Network Rail has this week announced that the first mast for the electrification of the Shotts line between Holytown Junction and Midcalder Junction has been put in place.
The first steel works going up on the project, which is being delivered with contractors Carillion, marks the start of the next phase of the programme that will deliver 74km of electrified railway.
The infrastructure owner also stated that work is remaining on schedule to deliver the electrification project, which is expected to be completed by March 2019, creating the fourth full electrified line between Edinburgh and Glasgow.
So far, engineers have undertaken extensive vegetation clearance and piling for mast foundations, construction that has also been delivered in tandem with work on a range of bridges to ensure that lines can run underneath structures along the route.
With this bridge clearance work complete, the electrification element of the project will now move forward to erect 1,200 masts before running the overhead powerlines.
New electric Hitachi class 385 rolling stock will run on the line when the Shotts electrification project is eventually finished.
“This first mast going up is an important milestone in the delivery of the Shotts electrification project as people travelling on or living beside the railway will now start to see real, visual progress in the work to upgrade the line,” said Brian Mallon, programme manager for the Shotts Line Electrification.
“Although we still have piled foundations to complete, the way we are working with our contractors Carillion Powerlines has enabled us to start putting the masts up at the same time to deliver in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible while minimising disruption for both lineside communities and passengers.”
He added that the electrification of the Shotts Line is part of a rolling programme of work “contributing to the transformation of services across the central belt as part of the wider package of investment to enhance rail travel between the country’s two biggest cities, meaning passengers will enjoy increased capacity and better reliability with an improved service on the line”.
The Shotts electrification project moving forward follows Chris Grayling cancelling a number of important electrification programmes in England, a move that was heavily criticised by leaders in the north of the country.
Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an RTM columnist? If so, click here.