TRAIN services will begin returning to normal on the West Coast Main Line next week when the route fully reopens following major engineering work.

Replacement services and timetables were put in place after Lamington  in Lanarkshire was badly damaged by flood waters during Storm Frank in December.

Engineers have been working over the last two months to save the structure from collapse - meaning diversions and slower services for those travelling north from Carlisle.

The full line was initially due to reopen on February 1 but that date was pushed back to the first week of March.

But ScotRail has now confirmed that train services will resume running over the viaduct on Monday February 22.

Phil Verster, managing director of the ScotRail Alliance, said: “I am delighted that we have managed to complete the works at Lamington ahead of schedule.

“I understand the impact the closure of Lamington Viaduct has had on customers and our engineers have been working around the clock since its closure to finish the repairs and get trains back on the West Coast Main Line.

“This project has been a hugely challenging one in a race against time to save the structure.”

The Victorian-built viaduct was severely weakened and left close to falling into the River Clyde by flood damage caused by the storm on New Year’s Eve.

A pier of the viaduct was “on the brink of collapse” after flood waters battered the structure.

Engineers initially used 1,500 tonnes of stone to dam part of the river and 300 cubic metres of fast-setting concrete to fill a gaping void, but more damage was found after that.

The prolonged bad weather and high water levels following the storm also contributed to more problems, including damage to another pier on the viaduct, three steel bearings that support the track and the foundations of the structure.

With the line closed north of Carlisle, alternative bus and train routes added about an hour to journey times between Glasgow and London, and hit other services out of Glasgow.

Engineers working over the weekend installed new steel bearings on the viaduct’s damaged second pier and constructed a new concrete plinth to support them.

The bridge deck was also raised back into position last week, enabling the reopening date to be brought forward.

A speed restriction will be in place initially when the line reopens next week.

First TransPennine Express interim managing director Liz Collins said: “The completion of the repairs will mean our services will begin to return to normal along the West Coast Main Line on the 22nd.”

Phil Bearpark, executive director of operations and projects at Virgin Trains, said: "It will be great to begin operating direct services to and from Edinburgh and Glasgow again and we look forward to welcoming our customers on board soon."