Network Rail is set to begin a major £7.2 million programme of engineering works across Scotland’s railway network throughout April, targeting infrastructure resilience, passenger reliability, and long-term route performance.
Scheduled during traditionally quieter travel periods — including the Easter weekend — the works cover track renewals, signalling improvements, overhead line upgrades, and drainage enhancements, ensuring minimal disruption while supporting long-term reliability. Although most of Scotland’s network will remain open, several routes will see temporary timetable changes, and passengers are encouraged to check journey plans in advance.
Key Engineering Interventions
4–6 April: £3.7m Infrastructure Renewals Near Glasgow and Carstairs
Engineers will complete £2.2m of renewals around Glasgow and install a new £1.5m bridge at Carstairs.
These works will result in service alterations between Glasgow Central and Motherwell / Lanark / Edinburgh.
3–8 April and 11–20 April: £3.5m Reliability Upgrades on the West Coast Main Line
Critical reliability improvements will take place across South Lanarkshire, Dumfries and Galloway, and further south toward England.
Services between Glasgow and London Euston will face amendments, and Lampits Road, near Carstairs, will be closed 30 March–17 April.
Industry Leaders on the April Upgrade Programme
Gerry McQuade, capital delivery director at Network Rail Scotland, emphasised the essential nature of the investment:
“We know any changes to normal services can be inconvenient. We aim to keep disruption to a minimum where possible and appreciate people’s patience as we deliver these improvements for Scotland’s Railway.”
ScotRail Service Delivery Director Mark Ilderton highlighted the importance of timing the works strategically:
“This £7.2m programme of essential improvements will help improve reliability across Scotland’s Railway, supporting more dependable services in the months ahead.
“Upgrades like this are much harder to deliver when the network is at its busiest so that’s why the work is taking place across the Easter weekend and holiday period which will be quieter for travelling by train.
“We want to reassure customers that our focus is on making sure they can continue to travel with confidence and get to where they want to be and we’d like to thank people for their patience and understanding while the work takes place.
“We have robust plans in place, including rail replacement where required, and our teams will be working hard to keep people moving safely and as smoothly as possible.”
Image credit: Network Rail
Don’t forget about our TransCityRail Scotland event taking place in June. You can be in the room with key decision makers and suppliers of the rail network in Scotland. Find out more here
