29 June 2007
SPT-led project wins railway innovation award
Larkhall-Milngavie project is best achievement through teamwork
The highly successful Larkhall-Milngavie Rail Project has won a Railway Innovation Award for Best Achievement through Teamwork.
Representatives from project leader Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and main contractor Carillion Rail collected the award at a ceremony in London on Wednesday night (27 June).
The £35million Larkhall-Milngavie project was formally opened by former First Minister Jack McConnell MSP in December 2005, having been completed on time and on budget. Since then, passenger numbers have exceeded all expectations.
Funding for the project came from the Scottish Executive and SPT, with support from South Lanarkshire Council. The project development and implementation was managed by Network Rail while construction was by Carillion Rail. All train services are operated by First ScotRail.
Reflecting on the award, Chair of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, Councillor Alistair Watson said: "This was a hugely successful project which is well-worthy of this award. It involved a huge amount of partnership working and I'm delighted that has been recognised.
"The project has delivered many benefits to passengers across the west of Scotland and patronage figures have so far exceeded our original predictions."
Malcolm Reed, Chief Executive, Transport Scotland said: "I am delighted that the hard work of the team involved in the Larkhall-Milngavie rail project has been recognised at a UK level.
"The sterling effort put in by the team to ensure the success of this project is reflected in the demand for the service - with 340,000 passengers travelling on this service in the first year, an increase of 53% more than projected.
"Achievements such as these provide even more encouragement to Transport Scotland as we work with the rail industry to provide a service that passengers in Scotland can be proud of."
Councillor Chris Thompson, chair of South Lanarkshire Council's Enterprise Resources Committee said: "The partnership working in this project is a proven winner and the success of the new rail link is there for all to see. Passenger numbers are testimony to that.
"I am delighted that the successful team working from all the partners has been recognised with this award and I am sure the rail link will continue to be a winner with passengers."
Ron McAulay, Director of Network Rail in Scotland said: "Network Rail worked closely with SPT in delivering this investment in the network. Focussing on improving services such as this demonstrates the true value of industry partnership for our customers; supporting local communities to grow and prosper. It has been a resounding success and we're delighted to see so many passengers using the new service."
A spokesperson for First ScotRail said: "The success of this project is reflected in the number of people using our services along the route. It goes to show what can be achieved through working in partnership and we are looking forward to delivering more opportunities which will improve access to rail across Scotland, in the future."
The project involved 4.7km of track being laid between Larkhall and Hamilton with a further 1.6km of new railway laid from Maryhill to Anniesland. Four new stations were built at Larkhall, Merryton, Chatelherault and Kelvindale.
The opening of the new lines produced a vast improvement in train services. The service between Hamilton and Glasgow was increased to four trains per hour, and a half-hourly service began between Glasgow and Larkhall. A total of 71 trains a day now run between Larkhall and the city centre. There are now four trains per hour between Milngavie and Glasgow and the Maryhill services have been extended to Anniesland.
ends
Notes to editors
- Funding breakdown: Scottish Executive - £25million; SPT - £9.1million; South Lanarkshire Council - £400,000 plus £1.3million in supporting works.
- On services between Larkhall, Glasgow, Dalmuir and Milngavie, there has been a 53 per cent increase in the number of passengers - 340,000 passengers used the line in its first year.
- On services between Anniesland and Glasgow via Maryhill, patronage has increased by 28 per cent.
- Overall journeys have increased by 13 per cent.