Network Rail has awarded £61.5m worth of contracts for work to deliver the East Kilbride Enhancement Project.

It has awarded contracts to Story Contracting, AmcoGiffen, SPL Powerlines, Siemens, Rail Systems Alliance Scotland and WSP. Over the next two years, they will each play a role in delivering 22.4 single track kilometres of electrified railway as part of the Scottish Government’s plans to decarbonise passenger services across Scotland’s Railway.

The contracted work includes:

• electrifying the route between East Kilbride and Glasgow
• an accessible station at Hairmyres, relocated to a site off of Redwood Avenue, 600m west of its current location
• upgrading East Kilbride station and making it accessible
• improving accessibility at other stations
• extending the existing loop at Hairmyres by 1.4km.

Once the project is completed in December 2025, ScotRail will run electric services on the East Kilbride line, with improved performance and flexibility.

Engineers are carrying out ground investigation work on the line in preparation for the work, and will carry out bridge clearance works at the end of the year. The main construction work will start in the new year.

A series of public drop-in events will take place in early 2024, which will enable communities to find out more about the programme of works.

The East Kilbride Enhancement Project follows the electrification of the Glasgow-Barrhead line, which will see ScotRail operate Class 380 electric passenger trains on the route from December 2023.

To ask questions about the works, contact Network Rail’s 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41. Information and progress updates can be found by following Network Rail Scotland on X (formerly Twitter) @NetworkRailScot or visiting the Scotland’s Railway website.

Gerry McQuade, Capital Delivery Director for Network Rail, said: “The awarding of these contracts is a significant milestone for the East Kilbride Enhancement Project and signals the start of the main delivery phase.

“Over the coming weeks, communities will start to see increased activity along the route as the main construction works begin.

“We will work closely with contractors, train operators and other stakeholders to deliver these enhancements in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible, while minimising disruption for both lineside communities and passengers.”

Bill Reeve, Transport Scotland’s Director of Rail said: “These contract awards demonstrate real progress on the East Kilbride Enhancement Project following the recent announcement, by the Minister for Transport, of full funding for the project.

“Communities along the route will be able to see at first-hand construction get underway in earnest as we move forward with this key Scottish Government investment in rail decarbonisation.”