East Kilbride Enhancements

Project Updates

• Summer - Autumn 2024 Update

  Time: 13.00 | Date: 06-09-23

  Major works along the route...

  From 28 September to 01 October 2024, Thornliebank Road bridge and Westerton Lane footbridge, near Busby station, are being removed ahead of their replacement next year.

  

  Both bridges need to be replaced to create enough space underneath to install the new overhead line equipment.

  Ahead of the work on Thornliebank Road, the footbridge that serves the footpath between platforms 1 and 2 at Thornliebank station will be removed overnight on Saturday 21 September, with a diversionary route in place via a temporary footbridge.

  Over the following weekend (28 September until 1 October), there will be no pedestrian and cycle access at Thornliebank Road, as the temporary footbridge will be closed during the demolition work.

  At the same time, we're craning a new accessible bridge into position at the new Hairmyres station.
  

  

  Drainage work and the installation of new overhead line equipment are also taking place along the route.

  No trains will run on the East Kilbride to Glasgow line from 1:15am on Saturday 28 September until 5:30am on Tuesday 1 October, when replacement buses will be operating.

  Check before you travel at www.scotrail.co.uk or www.nationalrail.co.uk

  
  At Giffnock station from mid-September, we're starting preparatory works in advance 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 early 2025.

  

  
  
  The existing station footbridge will remain in use until it’s replaced by the new structure next year.

  We will also be undertaking piling work from October until the end of this year to install the foundations that will support the new footbridge.
  
  To deliver the footbridge works, the site compound already in place at Giffnock station is expanding so we can safely mobilise of plant and machinery.

  This will involve utilising 68 parking spaces in total, starting from 16 September 2024 until June 2025. The remainder of the station's parking will continue 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 are nearing 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 is being extended by 51m to the Glasgow bound side. This then allows 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.

  Although the current station building will operate as normal during delivery of the works, the kiosk will be demolished in the spring of 2024, with a small retail unit included as part of the plans for the new building.

• Piling Works

  Time: 13.30 | Date: 23-06-23

  From June to July 2023, we carried out some advanced piling between Busby and Thornliebank stations to install steel foundations into the ground, which will provide the support required for the new overhead line equipment.

  From 13 January 2024 until the end of this year, this programme of activity resumes.
  

  From March until December 2024, we and SPL Powerlines UK are delivering a programme of piling and steelwork installation between East Kilbride and Thorntonhall.

  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 will be 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 vist: 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 starts from 02 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 will be closed and vehicles will be 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 works between April and the existing bridge being demolished in late September 2024 are being delivered during the day, as per the dates and times detailed below.
  

  

  Train services will continue to operate as normal to and from Thornliebank station except during the demolition weekend from 27 to 30 September.
  

  Pedestrian and cyclist access will be maintained throughout the works, except during the weekend of the demolition works.

  Over the coming months, a number of utilities will be diverted from the existing bridge to safely house these inside a temporary utility bridge before works then start on the bridge.

  

  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.

  

  The first phase of the works started in early 2024 and over a 16-month programme, we will be delivering the new station building which will have an accessible footbridge with lifts providing access to two platforms.

  

  Later in the programme in 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 help improve future performance and reliability on the line.
  

  To create the new platforms, work took place between February and April 2024 and involved lifting 184 separate precast concrete units into position.

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

• 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.