Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop visited the site of the relocated Hairmyres station yesterday (17 July) to see progress on the East Kilbride Enhancement project. Work started on the project at the beginning of this year and the visit offered a chance for the Cabinet Secretary to see what has been achieved during that time.
Two platforms at the relocated station, 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.
Over the last week, the team has installed 24 steel foundations to support the new footbridge and lift towers as work gets underway on those and the new building. Extensive earthworks will take place at Hairmyres this weekend to create the clearance needed to extend the existing two-track section of the railway by 1.4km.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop 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.”
Meeting representatives from the project team also provided an opportunity for the Cabinet Secretary to hear about progress at East Kilbride station, where the platform has been extended by 51 metres ahead of construction of the new building here.
When work finishes at both stations in the summer of 2025, they will offer a more modern and accessible space, with improved passenger facilities. This includes a new booking office, waiting area and a retail unit at East Kilbride.
Outwith the stations, two new bridges have been completed 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.
Over the remainder of the summer and up until the end of this year, piling activity will take place between Thorntonhall and East Kilbride.
Network Rail and contractors SPL Powerlines, Story, AmcoGiffen, Siemens, Rail Systems Alliance Scotland and QTS are delivering the £140 million East Kilbride Enhancement project, part of a wider Scottish Government investment to decarbonise railway passenger services.
The enhancement project is scheduled to be completed in December 2025.
Image credit: Network Rail
