Airdrie to Bathgate rail link will open on time

A NEW railway line that will almost double the number of trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow is expected to open on schedule this weekend, despite some works being held up by the weather.

The 300 million Airdrie-Bathgate rail line, due to open tomorrow, will eventually see the number of services from Edinburgh to Glasgow increased to ten every hour.

Ron McAulay, Network Rail director for Scotland, said: "Despite the unexpectedly early, prolonged and widespread severe weather, Network Rail is on schedule to open the new line between Airdrie and Bathgate.

"However, the severe weather has prevented the completion of some minor station works and left the access roads and platform surfaces at some of the new intermediate stations on the route impassable."