A major milestone in the Edinburgh to Glasgow Rail Improvement Programme (EGIP) has been reached.

Transport Minister Keith Brown made the announcement and added that the funding plans for the scheme will allow for a complete transformation for the busy transport hub.

In a statement, it was revealed by Network Rail that construction and engineering firms Morgan Sindall and Costain will work with them on electrifying the Falkirk line between the two cities as part of the flagship infrastructure programme. This is the largest single element of EGIP, which has already unveiled a new £25m station at Haymarket, Edinburgh.

The programme will also now see even bigger plans for Queen Street station in Glasgow, which would integrate it with Buchanan Galleries and create a world-class integrated transport hub and transform a key landmark building in Glasgow.

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The news comes as Transport Scotland publishes the Final Business Case for the project, setting out the investment case for EGIP and the benefits it will deliver for Scotland and its rail users. It includes:

• The transformation of Queen Street station estimated at around £120m

• Shorter journey times and more reliable services between our two biggest cities

• A cleaner, greener, quieter railway with lower carbon emissions

• Improved capacity and more seats with less crowding at peak journey times.

Commenting, Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "I welcome the contract award on the core electrification of the route and the hundreds of jobs this will support. This announcement represents another hugely important milestone in the delivery of EGIP and shows that we are pressing ahead with the improvements which will give Scotland a railway fit for the future.

"Passengers will experience the benefits of a faster, more comfortable and more efficient railway. But the whole of Scotland will also enjoy the boost to our economy and environment.

"This is why the Scottish Government is right to invest in our railways and infrastructure."

(JP/CD)