Network Rail to start £6m work on River Clyde’s Camps Viaduct

Work is set to begin for Network Rail to carry out crucial improvement works to Camps Viaduct rail bridge near Motherwell.

Network Rail are investing £6m on the 13-month programme, which intends to extend the lifespan of the structure which is 160 years old.

Essential repairs will be made this month, and are expected to take until April 2024.

Camps Viaduct towers 35m above the River Clyde between Ferniegair and Motherwell, serving passengers travelling between Glasgow and Motherwell.

Repairs

Network Rail will carry out metalwork repairs, painting and masonry repairs to all piers. This includes underwater repairs where required and installing rock armour on the riverbanks to prevent erosion.

Suzanne McKay, scheme project manager at Network Rail, said: “Vital maintenance and renewals work such as the work at Camps Viaduct helps Network Rail continue to run a safe and reliable railway.

“This essential work will not only greatly improve the look of the structure but will extend its lifespan for up to two decades.

“We appreciate  the impact of our activity will have on those living closest to the bridge and while we will do all we can to minimise this, we are limited in terms of what measures can be put in place to mitigate some of the noisier elements generated by the heavier engineering.

“We are grateful to the community for their patience while we complete this vital improvement work.”

Investment

The project is part of Network Rail’s £4bn investment in Scotland railways between 2019 and 2024 in a bid to maintain and enhance the rail network in the area. The move has created around 200 jobs.

“Rail travel is more popular now than ever before and our industry makes an important contribution to keeping the country and its economy moving.”

Network Rail Scotland human resources head Nick Pascazio said during the announcement: “We’re currently building the best railway Scotland has ever had and to do that we need to recruit and retain the best people.

Suzanne McKay, scheme project manager at Network Rail, said:

“Vital maintenance and renewals work such as the work at Camps Viaduct helps Network Rail continue to run a safe and reliable railway.

“This essential work will not only greatly improve the look of the structure but will extend its lifespan for up to two decades.”