WEEKEND train services through Lockerbie will be significantly disrupted for over two months from the end of March, with passengers elsewhere in Dumfriesshire also affected.
Network Rail this week revealed plans to renew signalling systems on the West Coast Mainline ‘north of Carlisle’ this spring.
The £60 million project will begin on Saturday March 29 and run until Monday June 9 and will involve nine weekend closures, including Easter and the May bank holiday.
The full list of affected dates are March 30; April 6, 13, 19-21, 27; May 3, 4, 10, 11, 31; and June 1 and 8.
Furthermore, other railway improvement projects have been planned to make use of the weekend closures, including track renewal, drainage improvement and infrastructure maintenance works at locations between Carstairs and the border for 11 weekends. That includes renewing switches and crossings, pieces of track that move trains from one line to another — at Kirtlebridge.
As a result, no Avanti West Coast trains will run between Carlisle and Glasgow Central and Edinburgh on
those weekends. Instead, rail replacement bus services will be in place between Carlisle and Glasgow.
For all Scotrail services, buses are to replace trains between Dumfries and Carlisle, while TransPennine Express will also run an hourly bus service between Carlisle and Edinburgh.
Network Rail officials stress the scheme is ‘essential’ and has been planned to cause the least disruption possible. In addition, they point out it will result in smoother and more reliable journeys.
Christian Irwin OBE, Network Rail capital delivery director for the North West and Central region, said: “The West Coast Main Line is a crucial Anglo-Scottish railway for both passengers and freight so keeping it in the best condition for trains to run smoothly and on time is our top priority.
“Our major investment north of Carlisle is part of our long-term plan to ensure this busy mixed-used passenger and freight route continues to serve communities and business.
“The scale of these renewals will mean some changes to journeys between March and June, and I’d encourage people to plan their trips in advance.”
Avanti West Coast operations director Chris Liptrot says it’s necessary to ‘make the railway more reliable’, adding: “During this time, there’ll be no direct trains to or from Glasgow and Edinburgh and as a result, we’ll be operating a reduced timetable north of Carlisle.
“We would like to thank our customers for their patience and strongly advise they plan their journey, as well as check the Avanti West Coast website for the latest updates before travelling.”
And Andrew McClements, customer experience and transformation director for TransPennine Express, added: “While this work is being carried out on the weekends and bank holidays, TransPennine Express (TPE) will operate an amended timetable on its services between Liverpool/Manchester to Glasgow/Edinburgh via Preston and Carlisle.”
