Gretna to Annan Project

The Gretna to Annan Redoubling Scheme is a £13 million implementation works contract in Dumfriesshire, Scotland.   The multi-disciplinary contract, awarded by Network Rail involves doubling the existing single track line of the eight-mile route between Gretna station and Annan.

Scheduled for completion in summer 2008, the scheme will remove the worst bottleneck on the Glasgow & South Western line (G&SW). It will also provide increased capacity for freight movements of coal from Scotland to English power stations as well as enabling better timetabling and performance of passenger services.

The works, which will mainly be carried out during short weekend possessions, involves the construction of the permanent way and the replacement of four bridge decks, together with the design and construction of the signalling and telecommunications, the earthworks and a new station platform at Gretna.

Though the project has been driven by the increase in Anglo-Scottish coal traffic, the capacity improvements will bring other advantages such as:

• Environmental benefits – a better rail freight capacity will reduce the use of lorries on our roads.
• Performance benefit – substantial delays are caused by awaiting clearance of the single line at Gretna or Annan and clearance of long block sections. This has a ripple effect across the West Coast Main Line, Strathclyde and all services in the Leeds West End area.
• Capacity benefit – this will contribute significantly in increased freight track access charges to offset maintenance and renewal costs. The increased capacity will also enable more robust timetabling of passenger and freight trains.
• Diversionary capacity – the double tracked line will provide a better diversionary route for trains which normally use the West Coast Main Line but are diverted because of operational incidents or planned engineering work.