Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Link
Passenger services from Edinburgh to Airdrie ceased in 1956, but the line between Edinburgh and Bathgate was reopened to passenger traffic on a trial basis in 1986 and proved an instant success. In 2005, the Scottish Executive declared that in line with plans to upgrade the remaining section of the A8 road to motorway standard, public transport links between Glasgow and Edinburgh must also be improved. Therefore, to create a fourth direct rail link between Glasgow and Edinburgh, the closed section of the Bathgate and Coatbridge Railway between Bathgate and the 1989 Drumgelloch station was re-opened, and the existing lines from Newbridge Junction to Bathgate and Drumgelloch to Airdrie were upgraded. The whole line is double track and electrified, with a maximum line speed of 80 mph. The existing 30 minute frequency Helensburgh-Drumgelloch and Milngavie-Airdrie services have been extended to Edinburgh Waverley providing an enhanced 15 minute frequency between Bathgate and Edinburgh.
The new link received the final approval of the Scottish Parliament on 28 March 2007 and gained Royal Assent on 9 May 2007. Work commenced with a sod cutting ceremony at Livingston North in June 2007, with reinstatement of double track between Newbridge and Bathgate being the first stage, completed in October 2008.
The line opened for driver training and charter trains in October 2010, with the passenger service commencing on 12 December 2010.
Read more about this topic: North Clyde Line
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