SIGNIFICANT progress is being made on Network Rail’s £140 million East Kilbride enhancement project.
Work first began on the initiative earlier this year, with it being led by the rail organisation alongside contractors SPL Powerlines, Story, AmcoGiffen, Siemens, Rail Systems Alliance Scotland, and QTS.
The project includes the build of a new Hairmyres Railway Station at a relocated site 600m away from the original station. Work is already underway on the build of the station, with 24 steel foundations having been installed over the past week ahead of the installation of the station’s footbridge and lift towers.
Two platforms at the relocated station, which will accommodate double tracking on the route, are also nearing completion. The double tracks will allow trains more opportunities to pass each other, rather than having to wait.
Extensive earthworks will take place this weekend at Hairmyres to create the clearance needed to extend the existing two-track section of the railway by 1.4km, whilst the platform at East Kilbride Railway Station has already been extended by 51m.
The extension at East Kilbride station comes ahead of the construction of a new building, with the work at the station set to be completed in 2025 alongside the project at Hairmyres. Once complete, Network Rail said the stations will offer a more modern and accessible spaces with improved passenger facilities.
Outwith the stations, two new bridges have been delivered on the line and work is underway on a further two, at Thornliebank Road and Westerton Lane near Busby station, with three more planned across the route.
Piling work is due to finish at the end of this month between Thornliebank and Busby, with over 165 foundations already in the ground to provide the base for the overhead masts currently being erected which will support the overhead line equipment as part of the line’s electrification.
The Scottish Government’s transport secretary, Fiona Hyslop, recently met with representatives from the project team on site to hear of the progress made on the initiative.
She said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to visit the East Kilbride Enhancement project and meet the team that is delivering real progress towards the programme. It is clear there is a great deal of activity taking place along the route to deliver the rail electrification and improvement works.
“This £140 million investment by the Scottish Government will improve rail services and facilities for local communities, making them even greener as we work towards our ambitious net zero goals.”
Stephen McCall, Network Rail senior programme manager, added, “It was a pleasure to welcome the cabinet secretary to site and for the team to have the opportunity to highlight the significant progress that has been made across the enhancement project to date.
“The positive collaboration between Network Rail and our contractor partners has fostered a one team approach that has been wholly beneficial in dealing with any challenges, developing solutions and maintaining delivery to programme.
“We’ve achieved a lot over the first half of this year and have much more to deliver over the coming months. People will start to see the new station buildings, at Hairmyres and East Kilbride, emerge from the ground, as well as steel masts along the tracks as we transform the East Kilbride to Glasgow route into a more sustainable railway environment.”
