5 December 2003

Work to start on Larkhall Line

Work will start on the re-opening of the Larkhall rail link in February with a half hourly service due to commence in October 2005.

The rail link will create new opportunities for people to access work in other areas, assist with the regeneration of Larkhall and make new commercial and residential developments an attractive possibility.

The first stage of the new service will be operational from December 2004 with the Hamilton to Anderston services increased from half hourly to quarter hourly.

The £35 million project will see a 4.7 km track extending from near Hamilton to Larkhall, together with 1.6 km of track joining Anniesland to Maryhill. Four new stations will be opened at Larkhall, Merryton, Chatelherault and Dawsholm.

Network Rail have selected a preferred bidder, Carillion, for the construction stage of the project.

The Larkhall rail link project is being led by SPT working in partnership with the Scottish Executive, South Lanarkshire Council, Network Rail and ScotRail. The Scottish Executive has agreed to increase its contribution to £25 million with SPT providing £9.1 million and £400,000 from South Lanarkshire.

Commenting on the announcement of the start date for works Councillor Alistair Watson, Chair of SPT, said:

"It is fantastic that this project is finally off the drawing board and that in two years we will have delivered a new railway link to Larkhall, more frequent services and better connectivity for the west of Scotland.

"The delivery of this new rail link will help with the economic regeneration of Larkhall, making it easier for people to access jobs and for businesses to locate in the area. This new rail link will also help people make the shift from their cars to public transport, making our roads less congested and helping the environment.

Chair of South Lanarkshire Council's Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor Chris Thompson, said:

"This is great news, not just for the people of Larkhall, but also for the whole of South Lanarkshire.

"The new rail link will allow people to commute to and from work much more easily as well as allowing greater access for visitors to Larkhall.

"That will have the knock-on effect of improving the local economy and increasing the vibrancy and vitality of the area, as well as helping regeneration and development."

ends