Network Rail has delivered rail infrastructure works worth approximately €8.2 million, strengthening the Mossend area in North Lanarkshire, a key node in Scotland’s rail freight network. The location hosts three major freight terminals and handles more than 80% of Scotland’s rail freight volumes, making it central to the country’s supply chains.
The upgrades were carried out during a planned nine-day closure over the festive period. Works focused on improving network reliability and operational performance on a corridor used by both freight and passenger trains.
Infrastructure interventions included the replacement of more than 1.6 km of track, renewal of seven key track connections, installation of around 410 metres of new drainage, and upgrades to signalling and overhead line equipment.
In addition to the main infrastructure programme, Network Rail invested a further €0.29 million from its Targeted Performance Fund to improve operational efficiency at Mossend. As a result, freight trains can now enter and leave the terminals at 15 mph, three times faster than before, reducing occupation times and improving throughput on the corridor.
The line reopened to traffic on 3 January, following completion of the works. The project was delivered in cooperation with freight operators including DB Cargo, GB Railfreight, Freightliner, Colas Rail and Direct Rail Services.