Are the Kippenross Tunnel & the Caledonian Footbridge at Dunblane now knitting ready?
No work has been done on Kippencross tunnel or the footbridge as far as I am aware, all Bridges to Stirling and Alloa have been moved/rebuilt accordingly though.
Nuttall have had an agreed workscope increase to their original EGIP structures contract and all bridges from Larbert Junction to Dunblane and Alloa are
due to be completed in 2013. Even after the Transport Scotland 4th July 2012 EGIP budget cut announcement, Network Rail continued to progress the structures enablement plans on this section.
Currently the new B9124 Carseview (Cowie) bridge is under construction. The bridge at Gallamuir Farm (Cowie) is to be done this year (the B9124 Gallamuir Road bridge has just reopened) as is the unclassfied Mill of Keir bridge (just south of Kippenross Tunnel). The Mill of Keir works require a temporary bridge to be put in place as there is no alternative route.
Assessment and investigation works are underway to determine the solutions for abandonment of Cornton Level Crossing (as part of the new Kildean to Stirling Uni road in the being assembled local plan), replacement of Shore Street bridge (North end of Stirling Station), raising and realignment of Causewayhead Road bridge (to satisfy Council demands to widen the road and stop flooding) and proposals for Kippenross Tunnel (which is actually classed as an underbridge as it was built as a cutting with a cover placed over).
Cornton Crossing and Causewayhead Road bridge are required to be dealt with as these provide the alternative route when the M9 is closed from Keir Roundabout to Craigforth - Causewayhead bridge has only 14'3" clearance and is constantly being struck and once the wires DO go up there would be a height restriction at Cornton Crossing as the motorway head clearance height of 16'6" would not be met at both places.
Kippenross Tunnel doesn't meet the minimum clearance for OHLE and you can't track lower due to the incline to Dunblane as well as there being a river bridge at either end of the tunnel. There are also concerns about the integrity of the tunnel and continuous drainage problems despite works having been carried out in recent years - most recently closed due to these problems for a few hours on 23.12.2012.
Track lowering is to be carried out at Stirling Road bridge, Dunblane and Kerse Road, Stirling later this year during the closures for the Stirling Remodeling.
No work has been carried out on any bridges in the Stirling area that only need protection or parapet height alterations including Dunblane Station footbridge.
Network Rail are having problems with two listed building planning applications
- one for altering the Stirling Station to allow the OHLE to go up and the other for the removal of the semaphore signalling / alterations to Stirling Middle Signal Box that are required for the Remodeling.
Currently underway are a package of works called Stirling North to Dunblane Minor Improvements which are mainly signalling and track circuit improvements (the existing circuits are not compatible with OHLE).
Another reason for Transport Scotland now committing to electrifying the Dunblane triangle by 2019 is the possibility of cash from the DfT with regards to the re-run of the WCML franchise and the introduction of Anglo/Stirling electric services which could allow the earlier reach of the wires to Stirling.
The Stirling area new stabling depot will not be constructed at Polmaise due to the changing of the EGIP EMUs to 4cars (was 3cars) - the site isn't big enough and there is the requirement for future stabling capacity expansion to hold long distance Anglo/Scottish trains. NR are trying to find a suitable new location.
Rather than write in detail about these items I would refer you to a thread on another forum that I have contributed to where things Scottish are discussed to great lengths:
http://www.scot-rail.co.uk/message/341946
