Invensys Rail Commissions Glasgow Central Platforms
26 May 2010
As part of the advanced works associated with the Paisley Corridor Improvement (PCI) project, Invensys Rail has successfully commissioned two new platforms at Glasgow Central. Marking the culmination of an eight month, intensive programme of integrated works, platforms 12 and 13 were signed into operational use at 4.35am on Wednesday 12 May 2010, with the first train departing for Largs at 6.15am.
Invensys Rail was responsible for the design, supply, installation and testing of the signalling equipment, as well as all telecoms, civils and possession management for the programme. Commenting on the commissioning, Campbell Braid, senior project manager at Invensys Rail, said: "The project's success was due to an exceptionally strong collaborative approach taken throughout the programme by Network Rail, Invensys and Balfour Beatty. Delivering such a complex project within the main station area, without any disruption to the adjacent working railway, was a great team effort and a reflection of both the commitment and professionalism of everyone involved."
He added: "This commissioning is the second stage of the overall PCI scheme and follows the completion of the Elderslie project in November last year. We are now looking forward to a challenging programme of works prior to the two main PCI commissionings, which will take place in July 2011 for Shields interlocking and then December 2011 for Paisley interlocking."
An integral part of the programme, platforms 12 and 13 will now provide additional capacity to accommodate the growing number of passenger services at Glasgow Central - the UK's busiest mainline station outside London.
The Glasgow commissioning follows the recent award by Network Rail of a new, £48 million contract to Invensys Rail for the Paisley Corridor project, a clear demonstration of the company's strong and continued commitment to the delivery of safe, innovative and robust solutions in Scotland. The scope of the contract covers both enhancement and renewal, and includes all the signalling, telecoms, energy and power and associated signalling civils works to enable the construction of a new third running line, as well as the replacement of all life-expired signalling equipment at Shields and Paisley with the company's WESTLOCK interlocking solution.
The project also includes the migration of Paisley interlocking to the new West of Scotland Signalling Centre (WSSC) at Cowlairs, as well as the re-control of ten remote relay rooms in the Ayrshire and Inverclyde areas, which will also be controlled from the WSSC.
