After being closed for six weeks to prepare for electrification, the Glasgow to Barrhead line will fully reopen this morning, Friday, 4th August.

The line has been closed since 24th June in a £63.3 million upgrade as part of the Scottish Government’s investment in decarbonising its railways. During the closure, 14,400 metres of overhead power cables were installed and 130 metres of track was renewed.

At Kennishead and Priesthill & Darnley stations, the bridge parapets were raised in height to make them safe and compliant for electrified lines beneath them.

Platform 3 at Barrhead station was extended by moving the buffers and rebuilding access paths to accommodate longer four-carriage electric trains.

An old lattice footbridge at Nitshill station that was too low for overhead cables to be installed underneath it was replaced with a new ramp to platform 2 which is used by services to Barrhead and Kilmarnock. The platform can also now be accessed through a reopened underpass off Nitshill Road.

During the next few months, there is still some minor work required including snagging and finishing works to the overhead line equipment and replacing copes and tactile paving at Pollokshaws West station. Commissioning the signalling and running test trains will take place this autumn followed by the start of an electric train service from December.

Other work carried out during the six-week closure included refurbishing a number of signals south of Barrhead near Lugton in East Ayrshire. By doing this while the line was closed it avoided the need to close the line overnight for three months.

If anyone has questions about the works they can contact Network Rail’s 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41. The latest information and updates on progress can be found on Twitter @NetworkRailScot or at www.ScotlandsRailway.com

Paul Reilly, Network Rail Senior Programme Manager, said: “I would like to thank passengers, residents and businesses for their patience and understanding over the last six-weeks, as we delivered these vital engineering works.

“Electrification of the Glasgow – Barrhead line will transform travel by providing greener and quieter trains for our passengers.
“The work also represents another considerable achievement as part of our wider plans to deliver net zero across Scotland’s Railway and we’re looking forward to electric trains operating on the route.”

David Simpson, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said: “It’s great to see that work to prepare the Barrhead line for electrification has been completed successfully and the route reopen for passenger service.

“We know how inconvenient it can be when extensive work like this is carried out, so we’re thrilled to be able to welcome customers back to the railway.

“I’d also like to thank everyone for their patience while this important upgrade was delivered.
“It’s an exciting project for Scotland’s Railway, with more of the network being electrified on our journey to net zero.”