Storm damage on the Edinburgh to Glasgow railway line revealed

Network Rail has confirmed it will be working around the clock to repair flood damage on the Edinburgh to Glasgow line near Polmont.

With the floodwater subsiding, engineers have had to opportunity to inspect the damaged track.

The damage is so extensive that initial assessments are indicating it could take two months to fix the damage and reopen the line to passengers.

The force of the canal water has washed away sections of train and embankments. The power of the water has also washed away electrification masts.

The canal water has also contaminated track and ballast which will need to be replaced.

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Kevin McClelland, Network Rail route delivery director, said: “We are working with our asset engineers and specialist contractors to assess the scale and extent of the damage and what we will need to do to safely reinstate the railway.

“It is remarkable to see the destructive power of the flowing water and the extent of the flooding and the scale of the damage is something I have never witnessed before on the railway. We are grateful to our colleagues at Scottish Canals for their prompt response in dealing with this unprecedented incident.

“We are working as quickly as possible to complete these repairs and to get passengers back onto the railway.”

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