A sinkhole that appeared under train tracks in has forced an indefinite closure of a rail line. The colossal fault, stretching one-metre deep, initially emerged on Sunday between Caldercruix and Drumgelloch in North Lanarkshire.
Network Rail is working intensively alongside contractors to uncover the magnitude and depth of the sinister sinkhole, expected to be caused by a hidden underground spring. Only once thorough investigations and a comprehensive repair plan are put together, will a potential reopening date of the line be announced.
For now, train services between Helensburgh Central and Edinburgh are suspended between Airdrie and Bathgate, and will likely remain out of bounds until at least April 29.
Ross Moran, Interim Route Director for Network Rail Scotland, said: "Sinkholes like this are very unusual on the railway, and our specialist geotechnical engineers are working tirelessly to identify the cause, as well as planning the repairs, so we can reopen the railway."
Recognising the disruption caused, Moran expressed gratitude for passengers' understanding during this time, saying: "We understand the inconvenience this incident will cause for passengers, and I'd like to thank those who travel on this route for their patience and understanding while work continues."
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In the meantime, an alternative bus service will operate every 30 minutes between Airdrie and Bathgate during peak hours, and hourly outside of these times. The Edinburgh to Bathgate route is also set to run every half hour during high-demand times and every hour otherwise.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail's Customer Operations Director, has assured passengers that efforts are being made to minimise disruption, saying: "We are doing everything we can to keep our customers moving while this issue is resolved, with replacement buses between Airdrie and Bathgate."
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He also advised travellers to prepare for changes, saying: "Customers should plan their journey in advance and allow some extra time, as the bus service will take longer."
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