CITY leaders have insisted Glasgow must remain open for business while the main rail link to Edinburgh is shut.

 

ScotRail and Network Rail have announced the high level tunnel at Queen Street station will shut in March next year for 20 weeks.

The closure is necessary to allow upgrading of slabs carrying rail lines through the tunnel which are 40 years old and showing signs of wear.

No trains will run between Glasgow and Edinburgh on the main line which is one of the busiest on the rail network.

Instead, passengers will have to take trains from either Queen Street low level or Central Station.

The rail companies have launched a consultation to get a wide range of views on the closure and its impact.

City council leader Gordon Matheson has welcomed the consultation but warned disruption must be kept to a minimum while work is ongoing.

He said: "I'm pleased Network Rail and Scotrail have announced the dates of both their upgrade works and their intention to consult with stakeholders and the public at this early stage.

"The council will work closely with them and other partners to ensure the city remains open for business to all those who live, work and visitors to the city during the busy tourist season.

"They must make sure any alternative services affecting travel to and from the city are communicated well advance to assist the travelling public and businesses and to keep disruption to a minimum during this period."

Queen Street tunnel will close on Sunday March 20 and is not expected to re-open until Monday August 8.

Network Rail which will carry out the work has accepted it will disrupt a large number of train travellers but says it is doing everything possible to maintain as many train services as possible during the work.

An SPT spokesperson said: "We met with ScotRail to engage in initial exploratory discussions regarding works around Queen Street Station in 2016 as part of the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme.

"Although early in the planning process the discussion was useful and it is intended the liaison between SPT and ScotRail will continue in the run-up to works with the aim to minimise disruption and to ensure effective communications to passengers."

The Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme will result in the rail line between the two cities being electrified.

Queen Street station is the third busiest in Scotland with at least 12 trains an hour at the high level and eight trains an hour at the low level.

Earlier this year Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick raised concerns that roadworks on the M8 will result in road closures at the same time as the main train line to Edinburgh is out of operation.