A rail electrification programme along a key route near the city has been given the go-ahead for early next year, in a bid to decarbonise Scotland’s railway network.

The scheme, developed by Transport Scotland and Network Rail, involves the East Kilbride and Barrhead corridors, passing through East Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire. 

Work on the £63 million Barrhead corridor will start in April 2022 and is due to be completed by December 2023. It will support passenger and freight services and will be used as a key diversionary route for cross-border services.

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The East Kilbride section has been approved for single track electrification infrastructure but further development work is required to support this, Transport Scotland said.

Transport Minister Graeme Dey said: “I’m pleased that work on the full electrification of the Glasgow to Barrhead railway line is expected to start early next year as this will make a significant difference to passenger and freight services in the future.

“Delivery of the East Kilbride and Barrhead Electrification Project will not only ensure the decarbonisation of two critical corridors on this strategic network but will allow efficiencies to be achieved and disruption minimised for passengers during this period.

“It will also help towards the delivery of our Rail Decarbonisation Action Plan which will see removal of all diesel on passenger services by 2035 through the deployment of existing rolling stock.”

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Rail bosses say the projects would be taken forward among ‘significant financial challenges’ and ‘uncertain future demand’. 

However, they say progressing with single track work would allow funds to be reallocated to other decarbonisation projects such as Borders electrification.

Katie Vollbracht, of Network Rail Scotland, said: “The East Kilbride and Barrhead Electrification Project is at the centre of our plans to decarbonise domestic passenger services by 2035.

“The project will deliver high-quality public transport choices for passengers through the introduction of greener, more reliable electric trains, with  improved stations and passenger facilities along the two routes.

“We are working closely with government and our industry partners to ensure the enhancements we are making deliver best value for taxpayers’ money and meet the changing needs of our customers.”

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