ENGINEERS are set to work ‘around-the-clock’ for six weeks to prepare the Barrhead to Glasgow rail line for a £63.3 million electrification project.
It marks a ‘critical’ stage of preparatory works in the project, which will see Network Rail undertake work at four key stations – Kennishead, Priesthill and Darnley, Nitshill, and Barrhead – with engineers installing overhead power cables required for the introduction of electric services on the route, as well as ducting work and parapet modifications.
Taking place between June 24 and August 4, work will also see the removal of the existing footbridge at Nitshill station on July 6 as it does not provide the required clearance height for the new overhead equipment.
The bridge will be replaced by a new, longer ramp which introduces step-free access to Platform 2 – making it easier for people with impaired mobility or those travelling with luggage, children, or bikes to access the platform.
Ahead of the works starting at Nitshill station, Network Rail is holding community drop-in events for residents to find out more about the bridge replacement work and to meet members of the project team to ask any questions. Details about the drop-in events are available here.
Paul Reilly, Network Rail senior programme manager, said, “Electrification continues to transform travel, with 325 single track kilometres of new electric railway delivered across the central belt over the last decade. The Barrhead to Glasgow electrification project represents the current phase of our wider decarbonisation programme and our drive to create a greener, cleaner and more reliable railway.
“The six weeks of work marks a major milestone for the project, as our engineers work around-the-clock to complete this critical final phase of the programme, as this will then allow us to test the new overhead equipment in the run up to the line being fully energised on August 6.”
David Simpson, ScotRail service delivery director, added, “This project is another fantastic step forward for Scotland’s Railway, electrifying more of the network, and supporting our journey to carbon zero. We will do everything we can to keep our customers moving during the works, and we urge people to plan ahead, taking alternative routes to and from Glasgow, or using our replacement bus services.”
