Bam Nuttall has completed work to install a new £2.7 million fully-accessible footbridge at West Calder railway station.

The new bridge took 10 months to build and includes lifts and stairs to replace the previous structure which was no longer fit for purpose.

The project was carried out as part of wider work on the Shotts line being delivered by Network Rail ahead of the electrification of the route in 2019. The old bridge, which was removed by a 130-tonne crane over three lifts, will find a new home on Bo’ness heritage railway.

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Kevin McClelland, Route Delivery Director for Infrastructure Projects, said: "We are continuously seeking opportunities to make stations more accessible and the new footbridge at West Calder will help ensure that everyone in the community has the opportunity to easily access train services and thus enables more people to travel by train.

"Opening the new bridge is another important milestone for the electrification project – with the added bonus of enabling the old bridge to be relocated and preserved at Bo’ness heritage railway – which is great to see.

"We have cleared structures all along the route to avoid them being an obstruction to the safe running of the overhead wires which will enable electrification.  Doing this in the station also brings the benefit if significantly improving accessibility which will transform the travelling experience for everyone using the station which is fantastic."

(LM/MH)