Network Rail has completed a £7 million improvement programme at Mossend in North Lanarkshire, enhancing one of Scotland’s most critical rail freight corridors. The works were carried out during a planned nine-day closure over the festive period, enabling engineers to safely undertake substantial upgrades while minimising disruption to both freight and passenger services.
Mossend is a strategic freight hub, hosting three major freight depots and handling more than 80% of Scotland’s rail freight traffic in the past year. Its role in the national supply chain makes it essential for the movement of goods across Scotland and to international markets.
The upgrade focused on renewing and strengthening key pieces of infrastructure. Work included replacing over a mile of ageing track, renewing seven critical rail connections, installing 450 yards of new drainage, and upgrading signalling and overhead line equipment to improve performance and resilience.
Alongside the core infrastructure work, Network Rail invested an additional £250,000 from its Targeted Performance Fund to enhance operational efficiency at Mossend. As a result, freight trains can now enter and depart the depots at speeds of up to 15 mph, roughly three times faster than before. This boost improves the flow of services, clears central tracks more quickly, and supports better overall network performance.
Network Rail emphasised the environmental benefits of moving freight by rail, noting that each freight train can replace up to 120 lorry journeys, reducing emissions and easing road congestion. The project was delivered in partnership with major freight operators, including DB Cargo, GB Railfreight, Freightliner, Colas Rail, and Direct Rail Services.
