Network Rail is celebrating the go-ahead for the construction of a new GBP 300 million railway line between Airdrie and Bathgate. The proposals received unanimous support in the Scottish Parliament on 28 March 2007, following the Final Stage debate, reaffirming MSPs' backing for the project and the benefits it will bring.

Speaking outside Parliament following the debate, Ron McAulay, Network Rail's Director, Scotland said: "Today is the day that Network Rail, as promoter of the Airdrie-Bathgate Bill, has been working towards since our Bill was introduced to Parliament in May last year. We have now successfully passed all the legislative milestones in the Scottish Parliament and can press on with construction and delivery of the new railway. Opening the Airdrie-Bathgate line after 50 years of closure will be a pivotal moment for the railway industry in Scotland and will also transform access to public transport within the Central Belt.

"The Committee responsible for consideration of the Bill has worked very hard to ensure its passage, despite very tight timescales. Network Rail wants to keep up this momentum and we will be on site to implement the first phase of the project imminently so that commuters in West Lothian will benefit from enhanced performance on this line as early as next year."

Transport Minister, Tavish Scott, said: "With record investment from our devolved government, passengers are already benefiting from new rail lines. By working in partnership - with funding from Transport Scotland and delivery by Network Rail - we will continue to open up opportunities for communities and businesses, providing real transport choices. Today's welcomed backing for the Airdrie-Bathgate Rail Bill by the Scottish Parliament ensures communities all along the rail line will now also have access to those opportunities."

The Scottish Parliament gave unanimous support for the general principles of the Bill at the end of November last year. Today's Final Stage debate followed detailed consideration of the Bill and wide consultation with key stakeholders on issues relating to the project. These include: bus integration; cycle path alignment; housing developments; the code of construction practice; and the noise and vibration policy.

The first phase of the project is the upgrade of the Edinburgh-Bathgate line (double-tracking and electrification) which will see commuters in West Lothian benefiting from enhanced performance on this line as early as 2008. It is anticipated that services will be running the length of the new railway in December 2010. This will bring passenger benefits including four more trains per hour in each direction between Glasgow and Edinburgh; shorter travel times; improved reliability of existing services; better access to employment, education and social opportunities; and a reduction in passenger congestion. The environmental benefits include offering a public transport alternative to travelling by car via the M8 and reducing congestion.