WORK to build the second mile of new track on the £116 million Levenmouth rail line is underway.
It follows completion of the first mile in March, which included connecting to the mainline at Thornton junction following ‘significant’ work to install drainage and troughing for cable routes.
With a rail line having previously existed on the route, Network Rail has lifted all traces of the original track and also removed the ballast to reveal the formation level of the track-bed.
The rail organisation said work will now focus on rebuilding the railway solum wide enough to accommodate both running lines. It added that, in order to ensure enough space for the new double-track sections, ‘some work’ is required to re-profile sections of embankment adjacent to the line.
Once complete, the new track-bed will then be formed and stock-piled ballast will be delivered to the areas needed ahead of new sleepers being positioned and rails being placed.
Joe Mulvenna, project manager for the Levenmouth rail link project, said, “We are delighted with progress on the project to date and look forward to continuing to bring the new railway to Leven and the surrounding areas. Various elements of work are underway or ongoing all across the route and activity is set to ramp-up even further in the coming months and so we are asking people who have previously used the area to walk dogs, for leisure, or for exercise to please find an alternative.
“Increased work activity means more vehicle movements and the first-mile section will be a live railway and so very dangerous. Our priority is safety, both of the local people and for those working hard to deliver the project, and the best way to promote safety is by now asking local people not to continue to use the railway corridor.”
