The £140M East Kilbride rail enhancement takes a significant step forward this weekend.
- Two outdated railway bridges in Glasgow are set for demolition and replacement, facilitating future electric rail services.
- Critical works, including a bridge lift and drainage improvements, coincide with bridge replacements at Hairmyres.
- A £5M track renewal project at Busby Junction aims to boost service reliability on the East Kilbride and Barrhead lines.
- Passengers should plan for alternative travel as rail services halt during the construction period.
Two railway bridges in Glasgow are poised to be demolished and replaced with modern structures as part of a £140M enhancement project led by Network Rail. These crucial developments are part of a larger effort by the Scottish Government to decarbonise railway passenger services, marking a significant investment in sustainable transport infrastructure. The operation involves several contractors, including SPL Powerlines, Story Contracting, AmcoGiffen, Siemens, and QTS, working in concert to deliver these transformative changes.
The demolition will occur on Thornliebank Road in Glasgow’s southside and Westerton Lane near Busby station, from Saturday, 28 September to Tuesday, 1 October. These demolitions are designed to provide adequate space for new overhead line equipment, essential for accommodating electric trains on this route. Concurrently, an accessible bridge will be positioned at the new Hairmyres station, enhancing passenger accessibility. Additionally, drainage works are scheduled between Hairmyres and East Kilbride stations to improve infrastructure resilience.
Complementing the bridge projects, a separate £5M track renewal initiative will commence at Busby Junction, where the East Kilbride and Barrhead lines converge. Rail Systems Alliance Scotland will spearhead this renewal, which involves the installation of over 2km of new rail, 1,400 sleepers, and 4,500 tonnes of ballast to reinvigorate the junction. This comprehensive renewal aims to enhance service reliability and operational efficiency.
To allow these extensive works to proceed, rail services on both lines will be suspended from 1:15 am on Saturday until 5:30 am on Tuesday, 1 October. In the interim, replacement bus services will be provided for passengers to minimise inconvenience. These works form a critical component of the enhancement project, with Thornliebank Road bridge scheduled to reopen in June 2025 and Westerton Avenue footbridge in May 2025, culminating in the project’s completion by December 2025.
Paul Reilly, Network Rail senior programme manager, has urged passengers to plan ahead due to the closure of both the East Kilbride and Barrhead lines. He emphasized the necessity of these closures, stating: “Closing both lines is the only way we can safely deliver the bridge demolitions.” The project team is utilising this period to implement other essential elements, such as the bridge lift at Hairmyres, to avoid further disruptions in the future. Reilly conveyed gratitude to passengers and the community for their patience during this pivotal infrastructure upgrade.
The East Kilbride enhancement project is a critical step toward modernising Glasgow’s rail infrastructure, with long-term benefits for passenger services.
