Date: 18th August 2010

A report presented to the SEStran board applauds major efforts in improving rail services to the west of Edinburgh, but highlights possible restrictions to capacity improvements in the Linlithgow-Falkirk rail corridor, Edinburgh West Corridor, and Edinburgh – Fife corridor.

 

The Airdrie to Bathgate Rail Project, which becomes fully operational in December 2010, will provide a range of benefits including; increased capacity, link-up of existing lines to form a new corridor, increased service levels and three new local stations.

 

Meanwhile the Edinburgh – Glasgow Rail Improvement Project (EGIP)     also provides a number of service improvements including; provision of a “Dalmeny Chord” at Winchburgh junction, a new station at Gogar linking with the tram service; significantly reduced journey times between Edinburgh and Glasgow and an increase of six trains per hour on the Edinburgh to Glasgow route via Falkirk.

 

However, SEStran is concerned that aspects of these projects could lead to reduced capacity in other areas. For example; 

 

• Uncertainty about the future stopping pattern for intermediate stations (Falkirk High, Polmont and Linlithgow) and the possibility of no additional services to Dunblane/Alloa, make it less certain that adequate additional rail capacity will be created in Corridor 16 (West Lothian/Falkirk M9/A904 corridor) in future years.

 

• This will also offer little relief to Corstorphine Road (corridor 6), which is mainly fed by commuter traffic from the M9, although improving access to the rail network for commuters in the M9 corridor is a priority highlighted in SEStran’s Regional Transport Strategy (RTS).

 

• The diversion of some Glasgow (and possibly Dunblane) trains onto the Fife line (via the Dalmeny Chord) will significantly reduce the feasibility of additional rail services between Edinburgh and Fife being provided and will therefore seriously affect the potential of increased public transport modal split in Corridors 18 (Queensferry and Forth Bridges) and 7 (Queensferry Road).

 

• The decision to cancel development of a new developer-funded station at Winchburgh, because this would threaten proposed reductions in Edinburgh - Glasgow journey times, reduces the possibility of improved capacity on the Linlithgow – Falkirk Rail corridor.

SEStran Chair, Cllr Russell Imrie said:

 

“The projects to improve rail services to the west of Edinburgh will undoubtedly deliver major benefits in terms of quality, quantity and speed for commuters travelling into the capital”. 

 

 “However, we must not overlook potentially less positive effects they may have on capacity improvements in some areas”.   

 

“SEStran is particularly disappointed that the developer-funded station at Winchburgh will not now go ahead”.

 

“We will be seeking to raise our concerns over this and other issues with Transport Scotland and other relevant bodies, and to work with them to find alternative solutions”.

 ENDS

SEStran - South East of Scotland Transport Partnership - is one of seven new Statutory Regional Transport Partnerships (RTP) created by the Transport (Scotland) Act 2005 and is a partnership of eight local councils covering the Borders, Clackmannanshire, East Lothian Midlothian and West Lothian, Edinburgh, Falkirk and Fife.

For further information, please contact:

Andrew Dougal, SEStran Communications Officer

T: 0131-524-5161

M: 07889-010-291

E: Andrew.dougal@sestran.gov.uk Notes 

1. Airdrie to Bathgate Rail Project

 ·      Linking up the existing Edinburgh – Bathgate line with the Helensburgh – Glasgow Queen Street line, to form an additional Edinburgh – Glasgow rail corridor

·      Electrification and double-tracking

·      New stations at Armadale, Blackridge and Caldercruix

·      Additional station car parking

·      Increased service level from currently two trains per hour between Edinburgh and Bathgate to four trains per hour in each direction between Edinburgh and Glasgow (and beyond) ;although the three new stations will be served by two trains per hour.

1. Edinburgh – Glasgow Rail Improvement Project (EGIP)    

·      Electrification of the main Edinburgh – Glasgow Queen Street line via Falkirk. The lines to Dunblane and Alloa and the line via Cumbernauld

·      Provision of a ‘Dalmeny Chord’ to link the Winchburgh junction – Forth Bridge line with the Aberdeen – Fife – Edinburgh line, thereby creating a second line between Winchburgh junction and Edinburgh for the Edinburgh – Glasgow service and, potentially, the Edinburgh – Dunblane/Alloa service

·      A new station at Gogar to link in with the new tram service to the Airport to serve the Glasgow and Dunblane/Alloa services (as well as Fife services)

·      Six trains per hour between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Falkirk (currently four), with a mixture of stopping patterns to serve intermediate stations.

·      Reduced journey time between Edinburgh and Glasgow to around 35 minutes compared with 47 mins at present

 ·      Three train services per hour between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central; one stopping service and one semi-fast service via Shotts and one service via Carstairs (the latter planned for December 2013). 

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