Battery-powered trains could be the future

Tory MSP Graham Simpson has welcomed news that batterypowered trains could be in the future of the upgraded East Kilbride railway line.

It comes after Cabinet Secretary Michael Matheson visited East Kilbride rail station to see ongoing ground preparation work as part of a five-year overhaul of the line.

Transport Scotland’s‘Rail Services Decarbonisation Action Plan’was launched last month with electrification of key routes at its core including a focus on the East Kilbride line.

Plans are also in place for dualing part of the line with an upgrade of the town’s main railway station and a transport hub at nearby Hairmyres.

And during During questioning at the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, Mr Simpson asked what the government’s plans were for battery-powered trains in Scotland, general improvements to railway and station infrastructure and the potential for savings.

Mr Simpson said that electric trains that can use batteries part of the time can save money if a line can’t be fully electrified and suggested the East Kilbride line would be ideal because of bridges.

Mr Matheson – who admitted the rail servive in east Kilbride wasn’t “up to scratch” on his recent visit – agreed that the plans to electrify and dual the line could be helped by battery-run trains and reaffirmed the commitment to rebuild East Kilbride station.

Graham Simpson, Scottish Conservative transport spokesman said:“I’m glad that the Cabinet Secretary and I are in agreement on enhancements to the East Kilbride line.

“ScotRail has the potential to be the first alternatively-fuelled passenger train operator in the UK and the East Kilbride line is a great launching point for this endeavour.

“By dualling the line and adding battery-operated engines, we could see huge savings for engine operations, a substantial reduction in our transportation carbon footprint and more reliable service.

“As for upgrades to the East Kilbride railway station, plans from the SNP Government have been a long time coming.

“The sooner we get cracking on improving this busy line and building a new station for Hairmyres as well as improving East Kilbride station the better.”

Campaigners and commuters in the town have long called for much-need improvements.