Work to begin on new rail hub East Kilbride on track for modern station
Network Rail will begin construction of the new East Kilbride station building next month.
The 16-month programme will take place from February 5 until June 2025 – a key milestone in the East Kilbride Enhancement project.
The project is all part of a wider £139.8m investment at the centre of the Scottish Government’s ongoing strategy to decarbonise Scotland’s Railway.
In addition to the works at East Kilbride station, over the next two years the enhancement project will deliver electrification of the route between East Kilbride and Glasgow, a relocated accessible station at Hairmyres, accessibility works at other stations and a 1.4km extension of the existing loop at
Hairmyres. When complete, the new building, located within the existing station footprint between Torrance Road and West Mains Road, will be more modern and easily accessible for passengers.
From February 5, 133 parking spaces at the station car park will be used to safely house a site compound that will be in operation until works finish in June 2025. In addition
to welfare and office facilities for staff, the compound will provide the necessary space for the required plant and materials to deliver the works.
Laura McWilliams, Network Rail senior programme manager for the station works, said: “The start of construction works at East Kilbride station marks an exciting phase on the electrification project, as activity ramps up over the course of this year
“We appreciate the inconvenience to commuters and the community by using part of the station car park for our site compound and thank people for their patience.
“However, this allows us to deliver the works in the most efficient way by having the team and the requisite materials in close proximity to our construction site.
“When the new station building completes next year, it will further enhance the passenger experience – as too will the sustainable benefits of electrifying the railway by allowing the removal of diesel trains and introducing carbon-free journeys for communities along the East Kilbride railway corridor.”
When work to the new station building completes by summer 2025, improved passenger facilities will be in place including a new booking office, a waiting area and a small retail unit.
The station platform will also be extended by 51m metres to the Glasgow-bound side to accommodate longer trains.
To find out more on the East Kilbride Enhancement project and all the works being delivered throughout 2024, two community drop-in events are being held next month:
■ Wednesday, February 7 – Kirktonholme Hall,111 Kirktonholme Road, West Mains, East Kilbride, G74 1B, 3pm to 7pm.
■Tuesday, February 20 – Duncanrig Secondary School, 7276 Winnipeg Drive, East Kilbride, Glasgow G75 8ZT, 6.30pm to 9pm.
Although 152 parking spaces remain available at the station, passengers who use the car park are being advised to factor in some additional travel time if they need to use public car parks elsewhere in East Kilbride Village or in the town centre.
Electric services will be introduced on the East Kilbride line following the completion of the East Kilbride Enhancement project in December 2025 which promise to offer enhanced operational performance and flexibility of service on the route.
Members of the public can find our more on the project by calling the Network Rail helpline on 03457 11 41 41 or emailing EKEnhancements@networkrail. co.uk