Rail bosses admit line repairs ‘a complex task’ as Ayrshire sinkhole disruption continues
NETWORK Rail has admitted it faces a ‘complex task’ as it attempts to fix a void which opened up beneath an Ayrshire railway line.
The void – or ‘sinkhole’ – at Gatehead has seen the closure of the line between Kilmarnock and Barassie since it was discovered on June 4, with all trains on the Ayr-Kilmarnock route cancelled.
On Thursday ScotRail revealed that it expected disruption on the line to continue until July 17 – two weeks later than it had previously predicted.
Network Rail published a video on Twitter on Thursday in which it explained more about the attempts to fix the problem.
Speaking in the video, geotechnical asset manager Sean described how the railway maintenance firm had been working with the Coal Authority on investigations into the possible extent of ‘voiding’ underneath the railway in an area where there are records of mine workings and mine shafts.
We’re still working closely with the @CoalAuthority at Gatehead between Barassie and Kilmarnock where a void opened up beneath the railway. Here’s Sean with an update. We’ll update you again as work continues. pic.twitter.com/SJdxLS0VEf
— Network Rail Scotland (@NetworkRailSCOT) June 30, 2022
He said: “It’s a complex task to investigate these features and we need to make sure that we are satisfied that we can run trains safely over this specific location and surrounding areas.”
The information gathered will be used to design a “remedial solution so that we can reopen the railway in a safe manner”.
Trains are running as normal between Ayr, Girvan and Stranraer, between Ayr and Glasgow via Kilwinning, and between Kilmarnock and Glasgow via Barrhead - though all are operating to a temporary timetable due to an industrial dispute between ScotRail and members of the ASLEF train drivers' union.
In a statement on ScotRail's JourneyCheck page a spokesperson said: "Our response team are working with the coal authority for this area, once full assessment of the site has been carried out a plan will be put in place for repairs, therefore at present we have no estimate for the line reopening."
The bus times between Ayr and Kilmarnock are as follows:
Kilmarnock (depart): 11:24, 13:02, 15:15, 19:03,
Troon (to Ayr): 11:48, 13:26, 15:39, 19:27
Ayr (arrive): 12:19, 13:57, 16:10, 19:58
Ayr (depart): 10:54, 12:30, 14:48, 16:28, 19:53
Prestwick Town (to Troon and Kilmarnock): 16:42
Troon (to Kilmarnock): 11:25, 13:01, 15:19, 16:59, 20:24
Kilmarnock (arrive): 11:50, 13:26, 15:44, 17:24, 20:49
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