Langbank Bridge Repairs to Bring Road Closures and Weekend Rail Disruption
Network Rail is set to begin a programme of essential engineering work at Langbank station, including repairs to a railway bridge and the renewal of part of the platform structure. The investment, valued at £652,000, is aimed at safeguarding the long-term reliability of both rail services and the road running beneath the bridge.
The project will involve masonry and steelwork repairs to the underbridge, alongside the replacement of a section of the adjacent platform. Additional routine maintenance will also be carried out as part of the scheme.
To allow the work to be completed safely, a number of temporary closures will be put in place. Station Road will be closed to traffic from 19 January until 13 March, with Renfrewshire Council agreeing a signed diversion route between Douglas Avenue and Old Greenock Road.
Rail services will also be affected over two weekends, with Langbank station closing from 7 to 9 February and again from 14 to 16 February. During these periods, services between Glasgow Central and Gourock or Wemyss Bay will be amended.
Bus replacement services will operate between Paisley Gilmour Street and Wemyss Bay or Gourock, while additional early morning and late-night buses will run directly between Glasgow Central and Wemyss Bay or Gourock. Passengers are being urged to plan ahead and check travel arrangements before setting off, with local residents due to receive advance information about road diversions.
Andy McManus, project manager at Network Rail, said:
“This work is vital to ensure the continued safety and reliability of the railway at Langbank and across the wider Inverclyde route. By carrying out the most disruptive work during two blockades, we can keep the impact on passengers and communities to a minimum while continuing other upgrades over a longer period”.
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said:
“When Network Rail carries out these essential repairs to the railway bridge at Langbank, our focus will be on helping our customers travel with confidence. We have a robust rail replacement plan in place so customers can continue to make their journeys during the works. We know this will mean some changes for customers and the local community, and we thank everyone for their patience and understanding. Once complete, this investment will help deliver a safer and more reliable railway for years to come.”
Image: Network Rail