The Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL) project has taken a major step forward with the completion of a seven-month long project to replace overhead power line equipment on part of the existing two-track line between Glasgow and Paisley.

Overhead power lines have been transferred to new supports, while redundant structures have been removed between Gower Street in Glasgow and the Arkleston area of Paisley.

This will allow construction of a new third line throughout this section which is required to increase capacity for the Glasgow Airport Rail Link and the Ayrshire and Inverclyde services.

The work has been undertaken by Network Rail on behalf of Transport Scotland; the Scottish Government’s transport agency charged with delivering the GARL project. The activity will help with subsequent work to install new infrastructure crucial to GARL.

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The first phase of the work in this area took place between July and November 2007, when Network Rail installed new portal frames for the overhead line equipment, and work was completed between August 2008 and March 2009.

Nadia Savage, Transport Scotland’s GARL project director said: "Our delivery partner Network Rail has completed this phase of work which represents an important piece of the project which will eventually see passenger services to and from Glasgow Airport beginning in advance of the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

"In addition the project is paving the way for significant improvements to Ayrshire and Inverclyde services in advance of the new fleet of 38 eco-friendly electric trains being launched to the west of Scotland by the Scottish Government in September 2010."

Ron McAulay, Network Rail director Scotland, added: "We are pleased to have delivered this element of the project on time and look forward to continuing to play our part in making this much-anticipated rail link a reality for the travelling public."

The news follows the announcement that four separate bidders comprising seven of Europe's biggest construction companies will be invited to bid to build the branch line and viaduct which will cross the M8 and take passengers to the new airport station.

(GK/JM)