Network Rail has completed a £7 million programme of rail improvements in North Lanarkshire, reinforcing one of Scotland’s most critical freight corridors.
Mossend is a cornerstone of the nation’s logistics network. Home to three major freight depots, it handled more than 80% of Scotland’s rail freight last year, making it indispensable to the national supply chain.
During a planned nine-day closure over the festive period, engineers delivered a series of upgrades designed to boost reliability and performance for both freight and passenger services.
Key improvements included:
- Replacement of over a mile of ageing track
- Renewal of seven critical connections
- Installation of 450 yards of new drainage
- Upgrades to signalling and overhead lines
Gerry McQuade, Capital Delivery Director at Network Rail, said:
“Every freight train can replace up to 120 lorry journeys, making rail a cleaner, greener way to move goods. That means fewer emissions, less congestion on our roads, and support for Scotland’s economy.
“Across Scotland’s Railway, we’re investing heavily in infrastructure to make rail the first choice for freight as well as passengers. This upgrade at Mossend strengthens a key section of the network that underpins the country’s freight operations.
“Completing the work during the festive period allowed us to deliver complex improvements safely while minimising disruption. We’d like to thank passengers and customers for their patience while we carried out this essential project.”
In addition to the £7m infrastructure upgrade, Network Rail invested £250,000 from its Targeted Performance Fund to enhance efficiency at Mossend. Trains can now enter and depart the freight depots at 15mph—three times faster than before—helping clear the area more quickly and improving overall network performance.
The line reopened as scheduled on Saturday 3 January following the nine-day closure. The project was delivered in collaboration with leading freight operators, including DB Cargo, GB Railfreight, Freightliner, Colas Rail, and Direct Rail Services.
Image credits: Network Rail
