Rail bosses accused after new delays
Rutherglen and Cambuslang rail commuters were hit with train chaos on Monday morning – after repair work went haywire on the very first day.
And the situation could continue until the end of the month.
Overnight engineering works by Network Rail at Rutherglen, which are scheduled to last a fortnight, overran on the very first day, causing a number of cancellations and delays to services throughout the early morning rush.
The engineering works are to remodel Rutherglen East Junction – allowing trains to cross over it at higher speeds – as well as replacing and upgrading parts of the signalling system in the area.
Many people were left furious at the poor start to the works, which resulted in some Scotrail services – already reduced in the area – being diverted towards the high level of Glasgow Central and others completely cancelled.
By Monday afternoon the problems caused the Cathcart circle, which includes Burnside and Croftfoot, to be suspended.
One disgruntled rail user told the Reformer:“The lack of communication about this is dreadful. Trains are appearing on the information boards, showing up as delayed and then just vanishing.
“It’s a shambles, and compounded that it’s happened on the first day.”
A Twitter user hit out:“It’s the poor communication that I’m most annoyed about, not the reason for the delay.”
The engineering works is causing disruption to the regular timetable, including the Milngavie to Cumbernauld line now being diverted to the Glasgow Queen Street line, as is the Milngavie to Motherwell line.
Buses will replace trains between Bridgeton and Motherwell (via Whifflet in Coatbridge).
The Dalmuir to Larkhall and Dalmuir to Motherwell lines will now terminate at Rutherglen and not carry on to Cambuslang.
Buses will replace trains between Bridgeton and Newton, as well as between Bridgeton and Motherwell (via Newton).
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Over the weekend, engineers were working around-the-clock at Rutherglen to renew a railway junction – laying new tracks, installing new signalling and erecting new overhead power lines. Unfortunately this complex project overran by one hour on Monday morning causing significant knock-on delays to services.
“We understand the inconvenience this caused passengers and apologise for the disruption to journeys.”
A Scotrail spokesperson said:“We’re sorry to customers whose journeys have been affected by this overrunning engineering work.
“We’re doing all we can to keep people moving, we’ve arranged for ScotRail tickets and Smartcards can be used on local buses wherever possible.
“Anyone who arrives at their destination 30 minutes or more late is entitled to compensation under our Delay Repay guarantee. To claim, simply keep hold of your ticket and visit our website.”