Airdrie-Bathgate rail link

Three major construction contracts amounting to £100 million have been awarded today to improve rail infrastructure in Scotland.

The contracts are part of £300 million of Scottish Government investment to deliver the new Airdrie-Bathgate Rail link.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said that the contracts, awarded by Network Rail to Carillion, BAM Nuttall and C Spencer, would be a 'real boost' to the construction industry and deliver major rail improvements for Scotland.

Carillion has been awarded an £80 million contract to build new stations at Caldercruix, Armadale and Drumgelloch and a range of other new structures and earthworks. The company will also carry out ground treatment and filling operations BAM Nuttall will deliver the new station at Bathgate, the new platform at Airdrie and a range of bridge works and earthworks in a £14 million contract C Spencer has been awarded a £6 million contract to build the new light maintenance depot in Bathgate.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said:

"These contracts will be a real boost to the construction industry and will deliver major rail improvements for Scotland.

"I am delighted to see the progress today - a key element of our transport investment programme with Transport Scotland and Network Rail.

"We'll see new stations, new platforms, maintenance depots and structural work, all part of a total investment of £300 million to deliver the new Airdrie-Bathgate Rail link.

"Once complete, the new line will bring real improvements for passengers, creating a fourth route between our two largest cities which will open up further economic and social benefits for communities across the central belt.

"The Scottish Government is working hard to support businesses through the downturn, and today's announcement is evidence of how our continuing investment is helping the hard pressed construction sector now. Our £3.5 billion annual capital investment programme is supporting approximately 50,000 jobs in the Scottish economy.

"These major contracts will allow the rail industry to get down to business in delivering the Airdrie-Bathgate project."

Ron McAulay, Network Rail director Scotland, said:

"Strategically and economically, the Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Project is vital for the continuing development of Scotland's public transport network, providing enhanced accessibility and mobility to a growing population in the Central Belt and creating an additional rail link between the country's two largest cities.

"The awarding of these contracts marks a major step in the delivery of this project and we look forward to working with Carillion, BAM Nuttall and C Spencer to create a first-class route and facilities for the travelling public."

The three companies will begin work this spring and all works will be completed by autumn 2010 ahead of the reopening of the railway in December 2010.

Funded by Transport Scotland, the £300m rail link will provide an additional passenger route through the central belt between Edinburgh and Glasgow, with four trains each hour in each direction.

Once complete, the investment will create a fourth route between our two largest cities adding to the three current routes: the Edinburgh to Glasgow main line, Glasgow to Edinburgh via Carstairs, Glasgow to Edinburgh via Shotts.

The electrified railway will also connect communities not currently served by rail to the country's two main cities and improve access to employment, education, health and leisure opportunities as well as promoting a sustainable alternative to the car.