East Kilbride Enhancements

Project Updates

• Major works along the route

  Time: 13.00 | Date: 06-09-23

  Major works along the route...

  From 25 January until 18 May 2025, extensive engineering works will take place over 16-weeks along the East Kilbride line.

  To help deliver these vital improvements, no trains will run on the line between East Kilbride and Glasgow while work is carried out to the track, bridges and overhead line equipment along the route.

  

  This critical period in the electrification project will also see 22km of new overhead power cables installed and the lengthening of the double-track between East Kilbride and Hairmyres.

  The existing track will also be lowered at locations near Busby, Clarkston and Giffnock stations so that overhead line equipment can be accommodated under some bridges on the route.

  A replacement bus service will be in place during this time. Check at www.scotrail.co.uk or via www.nationalrail.co.uk when planning your journeys over this period.

  

  
  Here's an update from the project team on the new Hairmyres station and what we've been up to over the last few months.

  https://youtu.be/6Sf-ot9N9LY
  

  The the new station is really starting to take shape and will open in summer 2025.
  

  Work takes place from October 2024 until May 2025 to replace the existing footbridge at Busby station.

  This is to create the necessary height clearance to run the new overhead equipment underneath that will power electric trains on the route.

  

  Piling work starts in November for six-weeks to install 28 foundations (14 on each platform) to provide the support for the new bridge. The piling will be delivered during day shift.

  To safely carry out this work, the stair access to the station from Glenville Gate is closed. The ramp access to Platform 1, near the turning circle, will remain open.

  We'll be removing the existing footbridge in early 2025.

  

  We’ve upgraded the railway bridge next to Thorntonhall station on Peel Road by raising the parapets (side walls).

  

  The parapets had to be raised from between 1.55m to 1.85m to allow the overhead line equipment that’ll power the electric trains to run underneath.

  We've used similar stone to ensure the extended walls are in keeping with the existing Victorian bridge.

  

  Over the last weekend in September, the project reached a significant milestone with the demolition of two bridges at Thornliebank Road and on Westerton Lane near Busby station.
  

  

  The replacement bridge was craned into position at Westerton Lane following the demolition. The bridge beams of the new structure at Thornliebank Road were lifted into place over the first week in October

  

  Both bridges now have enough space underneath to install the of new overhead line equipment.
  

  Over the last weekend in September we also craned an accessible bridge into position at the new Hairmyres station.

  

  At Giffnock station, preparatory work is underway ahead of a new, accessible footbridge being installed next year.

  Part of the work involves removing vegetation adjacent to Platform 2 to create a safe working area to install the new footbridge in 2025.

  

  We will also be undertaking piling work this autumn until the end of this year to install the foundations that will support the new footbridge.

  The new bridge will provide significant improvements, as it will have lift access to both platforms. This will make it easier for people with reduced mobility or those travelling with luggage, children, or bicycles to travel by train.

  

  To deliver the footbridge works, the site compound already in place at Giffnock station has expanded so we can safely mobilise of plant and machinery.

  This involves utilising 68 parking spaces in total, from 16 September 2024 until June 2025. The remainder of the station's parking continues to be available, including accessible spaces.
  
  Engineers delivered a significant phase of the project over the summer months.

  During an extended period of activity from 19 until 22 July 2024, the project to take a considerable step forward and deliver some elements more quickly. You can find out more here 👇
  

  Major works complete on the East Kilbride Enhancement project (networkrailmediacentre.co.uk)

  

  The project team welcomed the Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop to the site of the relocated Hairmyres station on 17 July to see progress on since work started at the beginning of this year.

  

  Two platforms which will accommodate the double tracking on this section of the route were approaching completion.

  Double tracking allows trains more opportunities to pass each other rather than having to wait, and helps keep trains running on time, improving reliability.

  We've also installed 24 steel foundations to support the new footbridge and lift towers as work gets underway on the new Hairmyres station building, which will start to emerge from the ground over the comings months.

• East Kilbride station

  Time: 13.30 | Date: 04-03-24

  A 16-month programme to construct a new, accessible building at East Kilbride station began in February 2024 by Network Rail and AmcoGiffen.

  Once work completes in June 2025, the new station will provide a more modern and accessible building, with improved passenger facilities, a new booking office a waiting area and a small retail unit.

  

  To allow the safe delivery of the construction works, 129 parking spaces at the station are being used to house a site compound from March 2024 and throughout the works.

  The compound provides welfare and office facilities for staff, and the necessary space for the plant and materials needed to safely deliver the works.

  
  

  

  The new station building will be located within the existing station footprint, between Torrance Road and West Mains Road.

  

  To enable the construction of the new building at the buffer end of the station, the platform was extended by 51 metres to the Glasgow bound side.

  

  This then allowed the buffer to be moved a few metres along the track from its current position.

  

  Extending the existing platform also makes it possible to accommodate longer trains.

  During the summer, a 58-tonne piling rig installed 71 foundations that will support the the new station building to depths of 6 metres.

  

  

  In the run up to the end of the year, concrete pours have taken place as part of the foundation work to the new station building

  

  

  This is in advance of the start of construction works to install the steel framework from early January 2025.

  

  Although the current station building will operate as normal during delivery of the works, the kiosk demolished in the spring of 2024 will be replaced by a small retail unit included inside the new building.

• Piling Works

  Time: 13.30 | Date: 23-06-23

  From January until December 2024, our contractor SPL Powerlines UK is delivering a programme of piling along the East Kilbride route.

  

  The piling works are being delivered in several phases, which means we won’t be working in the vicinity of any one property for the full duration - it would be over several nights within the timeframes

  

  • Each pile takes between 20 and 60 minutes to complete

  • A pile is installed, on average, every 50 metres

  • Mast height varies from 6.5 to 7.5 metres depending on the geography of the area

  • Once complete, work will move along the track to the next location

  • For a demonstration of what this work will look like please visit: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/living-by-the-railway/electrification/piling/

• Thornliebank Road bridge works

  Time: 0.00 | Date: 01-03-24

  

  Thornliebank Road bridge (B769), which crosses the railway near Thornliebank station, is being replaced over a 14-month period that started in April 2024.

  This vital work being delivered by Network Rail and Story Contracting is to create enough space underneath the new bridge to install the overhead line equipment to allow electric trains to run on the line.
  

  From 02 April and up until June 2025, the road at the bridge is closed and vehicles are diverted via Thornliebank Road, Rouken Glen Road, Fenwick Road, Kilmarnock Road and Nether Auldhouse Road (and vice versa).

  

  You can download and view this map in greater detail here

  Routes for First Bus services 57 and 57A will operate a diversion during the road closure and stops within the closed area will not be served during this time.

  Full details of all diversions for affected routes can be found at

  firstbus.co.uk/greater-glasgow

  

  The majority of the work over the first five-months was to divert a number of utilities onto a temporary footbridge.
  

  This then allowed our engineers to complete a major milestone over the last weekend in September 2024 - demolishing the old bridge.

  

  Over the coming months, the focus is on constructing the new bridge and then safely re-housing the diverted utilities back on to this.

  

  

  

  Thornliebank Road will re-open to traffic in June 2025.
  

  

  Artist impression of new road bridge on completion of works.

• Hairmyres new station

  Time: 0.00 | Date: 04-01-24

  As well as constructing an accessible new building at East Kilbride station, Network Rail and AmcoGiffen are delivering the new Hairmyres station, a critical element of the East Kilbride Enhancement project.

  

  We’re relocating the station about 600m west of its current location, as the footprint of the existing station doesn't provide the required space for the new station.

  

  Over a 16-month programme, we're delivering the new station building which will have an accessible footbridge with lifts providing access to both platforms.

  The first phase of the platform works started in spring 2024 and involved a three-month programme to lift 184 separate precast concrete units into position.

  East Kilbride Enhancements - Hairmyres new station update - April 2024 (youtube.com)

  

  In July 2024, we mobilised a 58-tonne piling rig to drive 24 steel pile foundations to depths of between 2 metres to 5 metres to support the new footbridge and lifts.

  

  In August 2024, construction got underway to erect the new station building. This is really starting to take shape and is visible to passengers from passing trains.

  

  

  Over the last weekend in September, during a three-day period of extended engineering works as part of the wider enhancement project, the new accessible footbridge was craned into position.

  

  

  The new bridge will provide significant improvements for passengers, as the lifts provide step-free access that will also make it easier for people with reduced mobility or those travelling with luggage, children, or bicycles to travel by train.

  

  Here's an update from the project team on the new Hairmyres station and what we've been up to over the autumn.

  https://youtu.be/6Sf-ot9N9LY
  

  The the new station is really starting to take shape and will open in summer 2025.
  

  During 2025, we will be extending the existing track loop at Hairmyres by 1.4km. This allows us to double the track at this section of the railway and is why the new station can provide two platforms, which will also help improve future performance and reliability on the line.
  

• South Lanarkshire Council's Proposal of Application Notice

  Time: 9.00 | Date: 26-06-23

  South Lanarkshire Council's Proposal of Application Notice

  As part of the advanced works, South Lanarkshire Council has submitted a Proposal of Application Notice for a transport interchange which will play an important part in the East Kilbride Enhancement project.

  The application represents a significant opportunity to provide improved transport connections for the local community.

  Hairmyres transport interchange - South Lanarkshire Council

• Full funding granted by Scottish Government

  Time: 13.00 | Date: 06-09-23

  

  On 06 September 2023, Minister for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, approved full funding for the delivery of the East Kilbride Enhancement Project.

  This £139.8m investment from the Scottish Government will deliver:

  • Electrification of the route between East Kilbride and Glasgow,
  • A relocated accessible station at Hairmyres,
  • A new accessible station at East Kilbride,
  • A 1.4km extension of the existing loop at Hairmyres,
  • A new accessible station footbridge with lifts at Giffnock Station and platform extensions,
  • A new footbridge and additional station entrance at Clarkston station,
  • A new footbridge at Busby Station
  • The introduction of greener and cleaner electric trains from December 2025.