Queen Street Tunnel Closure

Glasgow Queen Street Tunnel will be closed between the 20th March and 8th August 2016.

This is to enable major engineering to renew more than 1800m of concrete 'slab' track which carries the rails trhough the tunnel.

As this is the only means of access to Queen Street High Level station, inevitably this has implications for the operation of train services across central Scotland and to/from the north and north west. Glasgow Queen Street High Level station will effectively close for 20 weeks

In advance of these works we would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to your journey or for those who live in the surrounding community. We would ask for your patience and understanding whilst we deliver this major piece of engineering within the difficult confines of a tunnel environment.

Strategic Investment

The installation of the new slab with modern specification has a design life of 60 years without future major intervention.

The structure’s current condition and even given the 20 week installation, a prompt, full and long term renewal of the tunnel fabric benefits passengers in terms of minimising future disruption and benefits tax payers in terms of it being a very efficient whole-life cost solution.

Plan Your Journey

What are we doing?

We need to close Queen Street Tunnel to allow for the safe delivery of the renewal of slab track within the tunnel. This is the lagest piece of engineering undertaken on the E&G since the railway was built. Renewing more than 1800m of slab will involve:

  • 140 days of continuous round the clock working
  • in excess of 150 staff everyday
  • more than 1/2 million man hours
  • removal of 10,000 tonnes of existing concrete slab
  • installation of 4000m of new rails

As well as installing a slab track system we will be putting in place the infrastructure that will carry the overhead electrification system through the tunnel as part of the EGIP electrification.

Local residents and lineside neighbours should note that work will be continuous 24-7 working for the full 20 week programme.

When are we doing it?

The work will take place from 20th March – 8th August. Engineers will be working 24hrs a day throughout this 20 week period.

Why are we doing it?

The existing concrete slab track within the tunnel has been in place for 40 years and due to the impact of continuous use and the effects of water infiltration, is starting to significantly degrade.

The proposed electrification of the line through the tunnel heightens the need for the work as the faster speeds achieved by electric trainshave the potential to accelerate the deterioration of the slab.

Download the Queen Street Tunnel Community Leaflet

What does it mean for your journey?

During closure of the tunnel there will be alterations to any service that normally terminates at Glasgow Queen Street High Level station:

  • Edinburgh – via Falkirk High
  • Edinburgh - via Airdrie / Bathgate
  • Alloa/Dunblane/Stirling
  • Fife
  • Aberdeen / Inverness /Perth
  • Arbroath / Dundee / Perth
  • Fort William / Oban / Mallaig
  • Croy / Bishopbriggs / Lenzie
  • Falkirk Grahamston / Cumbernauld
  • Anniesland (via Maryhill)
  • Helensburgh/Milngavie

Check ahead

If you are travelling to/from Glasgow Queen Street between the 20th March and 8th August, you should check before you travel and plan your journey.

An alternative timetable will be in place during the 20 Week closure of Glasgow Queen Street Tunnel

For further information please visit:

www.scotrail.co.uk/QueenStreetTunnel

Throughout these works we will keep you informed.

We appreciate the impact this work may have on your journey and apologise in advance for this disruption. We hope you’ll agree that once these works are complete that the long term benefits to passengers will outweigh this period of disruption.