Network Rail has revealed plans for a £3.5 million transformation project at Livingston South station in West Lothian.

Engineers will start work to widen and extend both platforms at Livingston South in March.

In addition, the redevelopment will see the construction of lifts on both sides of the station to deliver step-free access, installation of new staircases and the re-alignment of existing ramps. Improvements will also be carried out to lighting and CCTV and enhancements to customer information systems, ticket machines, validators and waiting shelters will also be delivered at the West Lothian station.

-- Advertisement --

To carry out the scheme, the Edinburgh Waverley-Glasgow Central line will close for 10 days from Thursday, 29 March until Monday, 09 April.

The work is part of the Scottish government-funded £160m investment to upgrade and electrify the line to improve reliability and enable the introduction of longer, faster trains on the route by March 2019.

A range of additional work will also be carried out during the closure. This will include connecting new overhead power lines on the Shotts line to the existing electrified railway at Midcalder Junction and installing concrete foundations and masts for further phases of the electrification project.

Brian Mallon, Network Rail programme manager for the project, said: "Redeveloping Livingston South station is vital to the successful completion of the electrification project and the introduction of new faster, longer trains.

"We know that closing the line is never a popular choice for passengers and it's a decision that has not been taken lightly. We explored other ways to deliver the work required with the priority being to minimise disruption for passengers. The ten day closure is the best option to safely and efficiently deliver the work required."

(LM/MH)