Time to go electric with EK railway line
MSP highlights overcrowding and delays
A top politician has called for an urgent boost to East Kilbride’s rail line.
Labour’s Central Scotland list MSP Monica Lennon highlighted issues of overcrowding and delays at Holyrood – and re-issued calls for electrification to be introduced.
Electrification is planned on the East Kilbride to Glasgow Central line by the end of 2018.
However, Network Rail did not wish to comment on any further developments.
Ms Lennon says an electrification project is “vital”.
She said: “Just a few short weeks ago new figures from Transport Scotland, the official Scottish Government agency with responsibility for the railways in Scotland, revealed that East Kilbride has some of the busiest trains in the country.
“In fact, three of the top 10 most overcrowded train journeys were found on the East Kilbride to Glasgow line last year, with one peak-time train experiencing a huge over-capacity of 135 per cent.
“In parliament I was selected to ask a question in the chamber directly to the transport minister, the SNP’s Humza Yousaf MSP, so I used the opportunity to raise the need to upgrade the East Kilbride line, an issue which has been raised with me by several constituents.
“I pressed the minister on plans for upgrading and electrification of the East Kilbride line and asked him if the Scottish Government would support Scottish Labour’s call to fully fund and support these proposals.
“The proposals were outlined by Network Rail last year and are also backed by the rail industry.
“The improvements would involve the electrification of the line between East Kilbride and Barrhead in addition to the construction of a second platform at East Kilbride to accommodate a dual track.
“This would mean increased seat capacity, more frequent trains and quicker journeys. I was pleased to hear in the minister’s answer that ‘no proposals are off the table’.
“A dual track and electrification for the East Kilbride line are absolutely vital if train capacity is to keep up with projected passenger numbers.”