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Train services will be off ‘til March

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By Fiona Reid
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Train services will be off ‘til March

RAIL passengers from Lockerbie heading north face delays until March, it emerged this week.

Trains heading north to Glasgow and Edinburgh from the town will be disrupted until then due to issues at the flood hit Lamington Viaduct.

Rail users will need to catch a replacement bus in both directions between Edinburgh and Lockerbie, and between Glasgow and Carlisle following ongoing repairs to the storm damaged viaduct.

First TransPennine Express interim managing director Liz Collins said: “We are continuing to provide services to and from Scotland, despite the ongoing repairs to the Lamington Viaduct.”

She added: “We understand this will add more journey time and we know it’s a frustrating situation: however we are providing the best service we can in these difficult circumstances and we will continue to get our customers to their destination.

“Whilst the repair works will take longer than first thought, the safety of our customers is paramount and we are working with Network Rail to make the journey between England and Scotland as smooth as we can.”

Meanwhile local politicians have expressed their disappointment in the service. Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell described it as a ‘major disruption’ and said: “This is very disappointing news that the re-opening of the line for passengers at Lockerbie is going to be delayed by at least another further month.

“However, I fully understand that the repairs need to be fully carried out to ensure this sort of lengthy closure doesn’t happen again.”

He added: “I’m calling on Network Rail to set a firm date for when the line will be re-open so passengers can work to a fixed and accurate timetable to arrange meetings and travel to Glasgow and Edinburgh and elsewhere.”

MSP Joan McAlpine also expressed concern, she said: “My office has received numerous complaints from constituents whose daily routines have been affected.

“While safety has to come first, I am concerned that this extended closure will cause havoc for Dumfriesshire commuters.”

■ Train users are advised to check their journey by visiting the National Rail Enquiries website.