Network Rail has announced a programme of works at eight stations on the West Highland Line.
Helensburgh Upper, Ardlui, Roy Bridge, Garelochhead, Arrochar and Tarbet, Crianlarich, Bridge of Orchy and Tulloch stations will all benefit from the £1.7m investment on the route.
Funded by the Scottish Government, the project will get underway at Arrochar & Tarbet from January 27 - with plans to deliver the improvements at all of the stations by the summer.
It will enable the introduction of longer trains in response to increasing volumes of leisure travel and higher demand for bike spaces.
Those travelling on the line to Oban, Fort William and Mallaig will have more seats to choose from, as well as increased space for luggage and large items such as bikes, rucksacks and sports equipment.
This will help travellers make the most of the fantastic outdoor opportunities available on the route, including those walking the West Highland Way, accessing the wilderness of Rannoch Moor or visiting the world-famous Glenfinnan viaduct.
John Collins, Network Rail's sponsor for the project said: "The West Highland Line is considered by many to be one of the world's most scenic railway journeys so it is no surprise that demand for leisure travel on the line is high.
"Add to this the number of people accessing the area to walk and cycle and it is clear that demand is outstripping capacity on services on the line - with the only answer being to add carriages to the existing services.
"To enable the longer trains to run, we need to lengthen the platforms at stations across the route and this will ultimately help to deliver more seats and more bike spaces on trains. This will create a better passenger experience for people wishing to enjoy some of the best of what Scotland has to offer."
Scott Prentice, ScotRail strategy and planning director, said: "We know how popular the West Highland Line is with our customers, and it continues to attract visitors from all over the world.
"The work being carried out by our colleagues at Network Rail is a fantastic step forward and will allow us to make changes to the trains that operate on the route.
"We are currently looking at all of the available options to add extra carriages throughout the day and we will confirm those changes as soon as possible."
Passenger demand on the West Highland Line saw almost 500k journeys in the April to December 2023 period – growth of approximately 29% when compared to the same period in 2022.
Additional platform length will enable the introduction of more Highland Explorer carriages, which can accommodate up to 20 bikes and bulky sports gear, to Oban and Fort William.
As well as the increased seating capacity and luggage space, there will be an extra toilet and space for a catering trolley to significantly improve the customer experience on the busiest journeys.
Proposals will see either a single extension of up to 15m at one end of the platform or extensions of up to 7.5m at each end - depending on land availability or physical constraints. Additional work includes the erection of safety gates, barriers and access stairs where required.
With four of the stations designated as 'Listed Buildings', care has been taken to design the work and utilise materials which will integrate with the existing structures. Listed Building's Consent applications have been submitted to acquire the permissions needed to carry out the work.
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
15/11/2024
A major milestone has been reached in the UK's transition to a greener energy future. Ofgem has approved the Eastern Green Link 1 project, a £2.5 billion investment that will see the installation of a 196km subsea electricity cable between Scotland and England. The project, a joint venture between ...
15/11/2024
Falkirk Council has secured a £100 million Growth Deal that is expected to create 1,660 jobs and generate £628 million in economic benefits for the area. The Deal, signed by the UK and Scottish Governments, will fund 11 projects, including: • A Carbon Dioxide Utilisation Centre • A Bioeconomy ...
15/11/2024
The Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA) has raised concerns that the measures announced in the Autumn Budget could lead to the demise of the plant hire industry in Scotland. The association argues that the increased tax burden and other economic pressures will have a significant negative ...
15/11/2024
Maxi Construction has been awarded a £1.6 million contract by The City of Edinburgh Council to replace the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) roof at Pentland Primary School. The phased project will involve the removal of existing roof coverings and ceilings, the replacement of RAAC ...
15/11/2024
Clark Contracts has been awarded a contract to retrofit Scotland's National Retrofit Centre at BE-ST's Innovation Campus. The project aims to transform the building into a living laboratory, showcasing best practices in non-domestic retrofit. The ambitious project will involve a range of ...
15/11/2024
The Scottish Government has announced plans to bypass the villages of Springholm and Crocketford on the A75, a key route linking Scotland to Ireland. Jacobs UK Ltd has been awarded a contract to undertake initial design and assessment work for the bypass. The project is funded by the UK ...
15/11/2024
Dundee City Council has secured a £693,383 grant from the Scottish Government's Recycling Improvement Fund to upgrade its recycling facilities at Baldovie and Riverside. The funding will be used to purchase new waste management equipment, such as roll packers and compactors, to improve efficiency ...
15/11/2024
Homes for Good and Glasgow Credit Union have formed a partnership to address housing inequality in Glasgow and neighbouring areas. Glasgow Credit Union has provided a £2.4 million loan to Homes for Good, which will be used to purchase up to 35 homes for low-income individuals and families. The ...
15/11/2024
The historic Troon station has reopened following a £5m restoration project. The station was extensively damaged by a fire in 2021. Network Rail, in partnership with AmcoGiffen and CPMS, undertook the rebuild, which included the restoration of the station's iconic façade while incorporating modern ...
15/11/2024
BEAR Scotland, on behalf of Transport Scotland, is undertaking emergency works on the A828 between Ledaig and Benderloch to address a safety concern related to a deteriorating rock face. Recent monitoring has identified a fractured rock mass 60 metres above the road, requiring urgent attention. To ...