WORK has begun on a £1.1m project in a bid to protect a viaduct in North Lanarkshire.

The Orbiston viaduct, situated between Uddingston and Motherwell, carries the main west coast rail line south from Glasgow to England.

Specialist engineers will remove material from the bed and banks of the South Calder Water, which lies beneath the structure, as well as from the foundations of the viaduct.

Masonry repairs and ballast installation - a material used to provide extra stability to a structure - will also be carried out.

It is designed to extend its lifespan while protecting it against weather damage as part of a wider programme of maintenance to keep the rail network safe and reliable.

Rod Hendry, construction manager at Network Rail, said: “Safety is at the heart of everything we do at Network Rail and the £1.1m investment we’re making in Orbiston viaduct will protect it for years to come.

“While scour remains the leading cause of bridge failures in the last 100 years in the UK, the work we’re doing is vital to keeping passengers moving safely and reliably over the South Calder Water.

“We are very grateful to all rail users and the wider community for their patience while we carry out this vital work.”

Glasgow Times:

The ‘scour protection’ scheme on the stone structure is due to be completed later this year.

Scour damage occurs when floodwaters undermine the foundations of bridges.

Scour protection works help protect these shallow foundations by diverting water away from the base of the bridge.