The Scottish Government has today approved £140m funding for the East Kilbride Enhancement Project, which will see the electrification of the route, the construction of a new intermodal transport hub at Hairmyres, and the improvement of other stations along the line.
The project is part of the Scottish Government's rolling programme of railway electrification, which aims to decarbonise the rail network and make it more environmentally friendly. The electrification of the East Kilbride line is expected to be completed in December 2025, and will enable the introduction of greener, faster, and more comfortable electric trains on the route.
The new intermodal transport hub at Hairmyres will provide a more convenient and integrated transport interchange for passengers, with connections to bus, tram, and park-and-ride services. The project will also include accessibility improvements at other stations along the line, making them more accessible for people with disabilities.
Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop said: "I am very pleased to approve this funding for the East Kilbride Enhancement Project. This is a significant investment in our rail network, which will make it greener, more reliable, and more inclusive. The project will also help to improve connectivity in East Kilbride and the surrounding area."
Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland's Railway, said: "This project is a major milestone in our programme of railway electrification. It will provide a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable way for people to travel between East Kilbride and Glasgow. I am grateful to the Scottish Government for their investment in this important project."
The East Kilbride Enhancement Project is expected to create around 1,000 jobs during construction. It is one of a number of railway electrification projects that are currently underway in Scotland, as the Scottish Government works to decarbonise its transport network.
The transport minister has also confirmed that the Barrhead electrification scheme is on track for completion in December. The scheme has included an intensive six-week period of engineering works to install route wide piling and overhead line stanchions between Kennishead and Barrhead stations in Glasgow. Once complete, the line 12km line will be ready for electrification.
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