Exxon Bowling

Project Updates

• New £5.9 railway bridge to help transform former Exxon site in Bowling

  Time: 12.00 | Date: 25-07-25

  A £5.9m project to install a new railway bridge at Bowling in West Dunbartonshire is underway as part of a major project to unlock future development of the former Exxon site.

  The bridge will open up direct access to the 150-acre site, transforming it into a hub with space for industrial units, storage facilities, distribution centres and office space.

  It forms part of the wider Glasgow City Region City Deal, aimed at improving transport links, supporting economic growth, and encouraging more sustainable development.

  The bridge is being delivered by Network Rail, in partnership with West Dunbartonshire Council and Story Contracting.

  Laura Craig, scheme project manager at Network Rail Scotland, said: “This bridge will play such an important role in the wider project to bring new life to the former Exxon site. It’s taken a lot of careful planning and collaboration to get to this point, and we’re excited to see it start to take shape.

  “We’re always mindful of the communities we operate in and will be doing everything we can to keep people informed, carrying out this vital work safely and with as little disruption as possible.”

  Approximately 80,000 tonnes of earth material have been cleared from the site so far in preparation for broader work across the summer, including casting the new 2,500 tonne bridge structure, which begins this month.

  A more intensive period of work is then scheduled to take place over the festive period, including removing part of the railway embankment to make space for the new bridge, then rolling the bridge into place and reinstating the track, overhead lines and signalling infrastructure.

  To ensure the work is carried out safely, there will be no trains between Dalmuir and Balloch/Helensburgh Central, or between Glasgow Queen Street and Crianlarich, from the end of service on 24 December 2025 until start of service on 2 January 2026. This will also affect Caledonian Sleeper services to Fort William.

  Network Rail and train operators are working together to support local communities and passengers. Details of rail replacement services will be shared in advance, helping people plan ahead and make informed travel choices.

  Once the bridge is in place, West Dunbartonshire Council will progress construction of a new road.

  Convener of infrastructure, regeneration and economic development, Councillor David McBride said: “There is real, visible progress on the site at Bowling and I am delighted that our partners, including Network Rail, are pressing on with work to develop this site in a responsible and considerate way.

  “The infrastructure at this location will benefit many residents as well as people visiting West Dunbartonshire and I look forward to seeing this project continue to progress.”

• New railway bridge takes shape

  Time: 9.00 | Date: 22-10-25

  

  

  Construction of a new £5.9m railway bridge at the former Exxon site at Bowling is gathering pace, with the structure now clearly taking shape.

  The bridge is a key element of the Glasgow City Region Deal, a major investment programme designed to improve transport links, unlock economic growth, and support sustainable development in the area.

  The new bridge will open up additional direct road access and enable the future development of the Bowling Strategic Development Site.

  Work began in summer and has progressed on schedule. The bridge is now fully cast with around 1,860 tonnes of concrete, giving the bridge its shape.

  The next major step will come over the Christmas period when the bridge is driven into its final position.

• New railway bridge rolls into place in West Dunbartonshire

  Time: 10.00 | Date: 27-12-25

  

  

  

  A new railway bridge being built at a strategic development site in Bowling, West Dunbartonshire, successfully glided into position, marking a major moment in the site’s transformation.

  Work by Network Rail began in the summer with the excavation of more than 80,000 tonnes of material to create space for the new structure. Once the site was cleared, engineers cast the bridge on location using 1,860 tonnes of concrete.

  With this first phase complete, train services through the area were paused on Christmas Eve for an intense nine-day engineering sprint. The highlight came on Boxing Day, when the structure was carefully driven into its final position.

  The teams then reinstated the railway - reconnecting track, signalling systems - and completed the work needed to safely reopen the railway on Friday, 2 January.

  The £5.9m bridge is a key element of the Glasgow City Region Deal, a major investment programme designed to improve transport links, unlock economic growth, and support sustainable development in the area.