THE firm building the new active travel bridge connecting Methilhill to the new Cameron Bridge Railway Station has gone into administration, meaning that the crossing will not be in place for the opening of the new Levenmouth railway line.
Making the announcement, Network Rail explained that the bridge had been scheduled to be craned into position in mid-May. Following discussions with the administrator to release the part-built structure and the need to source a new supplier to complete the bridge, the crossing will now be in place in autumn, the organisation added.
Network Rail is working with Fife Council’s planning team to progress the installation of the bridge in the ‘shortest possible timeframe’. In addition, the railway team and the council are working to create an alternative walking route from Methilhill to the new station at Cameron Bridge with the aim of opening before passengers services begin on Sunday 2 June.
Tommy McPake, senior programme manager at Network Rail, said, “We have had productive discussions with the administrators with a view to securing the release of the bridge components and finding an alternative supplier to get the structure completed.
“At the same time, we have been liaising with Fife Council to look at establishing a direct walking route to the station in advance of it opening in June.
“We will continue to work with the council planning team and local stakeholders to get the bridge installed as soon as possible.
“While this is a really disappointing situation, it’s unfortunately beyond our control. We will work with our partners to resolve this issue and not let it detract from the growing excitement around the return of the passenger railway after more than five decades.”
The bridge is a 138m active travel crossing spanning the River Leven, with it consisting of a 72m span over the river and three 22m spans over lower ground. Work on the foundations and approaches to the Methilhill bridge is already underway.
