Canalbreachcouldclose E&Glinefortwo months

THEprimary rail route between Scotland'stwo biggestcities could be closedfor up to two months after severeweather causeda canalto collapse, sendingwater and debris cascadingonto the track.

A 30-metresectionof the UnionCanalat Muiravonside, on the Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street line between Pol mon tan dBo' ness, was breachedon August 12 after' unprecedented' rainfall.

Morethan 300 metresof the double-trackline wasflooded by thousandsof gallonsof water, washingawaytrack, earthworks and overheadline equipment and uprooting trees.

Morethan a kilometreof track and ballastwasalso contaminatedby the floodwater and needsto be replaced.

Workto securethe canal and stop flooding was not completeduntil two dayslater, on August 14.Initial estimates by Network Rail suggested repairscould take up to two months.

Kevin M cC le ll and, Network Railroute delivery director, said:"It is remarkableto see the destructive power of the flowing water.

"Theextent of the flooding and the scaleof the damage is something I havenever witnessed before on the railway :' ■ Thestormswhich led to the Stone haven land slip and derailment caused widespread disruptionto severalScottish routes.

Anotherslip on August23 closedthe Edinburghto Glasgow routevia Shotts.

Lands lips also closed the Heart of Walesline after a 350mstretch waswashedawayat Knighton, andthe dayafterthe Stonehaven incident,a SouthEasternEMU hit a land slide near West M al ling, with all 18 passenger es vacua ted safely.