Network Rail said today they will repair flood damage on the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line near Polmont, working round the clock if necessary.
With the flood water subsiding from the tracks, engineers have now fully inspected the 300m section of track damaged when torrents of water cascaded from the damaged canal above.
The flood damage is extensive and initial assessments predict that it could take two months to reinstate the line, though engineers will continue to investigate the extent of the damage before confirming a final estimate for restoring service.
The force of thousands of gallons of water flowing from the breached canal bank has completely washed away sections of track and undermined embankments. The power of the flooding water also undermined and washed away overhead electrification masts and damaged others and left dozens of uprooted trees strewn across the tracks.
Scottish Greens Transport Spokesperson John Finnie MSP said: “The Scottish Government must finally take the threats posed by the climate crisis to Scotland’s transport infrastructure seriously.
“In just the last week we’ve seen landslips in Aberdeenshire leading to an awful rail tragedy, widespread flooding across the country leading to significant rail closures and the Union Canal collapsing at Polmont leading to this huge problem on the Glasgow – Edinburgh rail line.
“We know that Scotland will experience more severe weather in the coming years as the climate crisis takes grip, so it’s vital that the Transport Secretary urgently puts in place a robust plan of action detailing exactly how he will protect and enhance Scotland’s rail network. I’ve been calling on Ministers to do this for some time and it’s quite clear that it can’t wait any longer.
“It’s irresponsible of the Scottish Government to continue to commit billions to road expansion projects when Scotland’s existing transport infrastructure is being starved of the investment it requires.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
