Central Scotland MSP Graham Simpson has visited the site of a new bridge that will be installed under the West Coast Main Line at Motherwell.

Along with contractor Story Contracting, Network Rail began work to construct the 6000 tonne bridge in May. It is being built in a huge compound next to the West Coast Mainline and will be driven into its final position beneath the railway using huge remote-controlled vehicles in Spring 2023, representing the heaviest bridge lift in Europe.

Once in place, the bridge allows the Council to build a new dual carriageway from Airbles Road/Windmillhill Street to Robberhall Road to connect to the Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility, as part of a wider programme to open up the area for future development.

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Mr Simpson was shown the recently completed sections of the seven-metre-high abutments that will support the new 30 metre bridge deck once built.

Mr Simpson said: "The Ravenscraig underbridge being constructed by Network Rail and Story Contracting is hugely impressive. It will facilitate a new link road into the Ravenscraig site and help to develop that part of North Lanarkshire.

"At 6000 tons it will be the heaviest bridge to have been lifted into place in Europe. I’m looking forward to seeing that happen.

"Network Rail and Story together are doing some great civil engineering work throughout Scotland.

"I was very impressed with their programme of taking on student apprentices, giving them a job while putting them through university. That has to be the way forward for a lot of companies."

Mark Wilson, Network Rail project manager, said: "We are delighted to welcome Mr Simpson to site and provide an opportunity to see the progress the team has made through the initial stages of the work.

"This is a significant piece of engineering given the sheer size and scale of the bridge, and with the abutments now complete, the structure is really beginning to take shape.

"Once the bridge is installed under the railway next year, it will be fundamental to help the Council achieve its wider regeneration plans for the former industrial site at Ravenscraig."