Network Rail and contractor AmcoGiffen will shortly begin work at Giffnock station as part of the East Kilbride Enhancement electrification project.
Preparatory work will start in mid-September before a new, accessible footbridge is installed at the station next year.
It’s all part of a wider £140m investment at the centre of the Scottish Government’s ongoing strategy to decarbonise passengers services across Scotland’s Railway.
In preparation for the project beginning, engineers will remove vegetation that’s sitting adjacent to platform 2 to create a safe working area to install the new footbridge in early 2025. The existing station footbridge will remain in use until it’s replaced by the new structure.
Piling work is due to start in October until the end of this year to install the foundations that will support the new footbridge.
Ailish Allan, Network Rail project manager for the station works, said: “The upcoming work at Giffnock station is the first phase of activity as we gear up to install of the new footbridge next year.
“Replacing the footbridge is necessary to provide the safe clearance for the new overhead line equipment that will run underneath. The new bridge will provide significant improvements, as it will have lift access to both platforms. This will make it easier for people with reduced mobility or those travelling with luggage, children, or bicycles to travel by train.
“We do appreciate the impact our activity will have on the community, particularly those living closest to the station. I would like to thank people for their patience and would encourage residents to come to our community drop-in event.”
To deliver the footbridge works, the site compound already in place at Giffnock station is expanding. This will allow the safe mobilisation of plant and machinery. It will involve utilising 68 parking spaces in total, starting from 16 September 2024 until June 2025.
The East Kilbride Enhancement project is due to be completed in December 2025.
Image credits: Network Rail
