Six contractors have been appointed to the East Kilbride Enhancement Project, a scheme lead by Network Rail worth £61.5 million.

Contracts have been awarded to Story Contracting, AmcoGiffen, SPL Powerlines, Siemens, Rail Systems Alliance Scotland and WSP to deliver 22.4 single track kilometres of electrified railway, as part of the Scottish Government's wider plans to decarbonise passenger services across Scotland's Railway.

Over the next two years, engineers will deliver:

• Electrification of the route between East Kilbride and Glasgow,

• A relocated accessible station at Hairmyres,

• An upgraded, accessible station at East Kilbride,

• Accessibility works at other stations, and;

• A 1.4km extension of the existing loop at Hairmyres.

Electric services will be introduced on the East Kilbride line following the completion of the project in December 2025 and will offer enhanced operational performance and flexibility of service on the route.

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Gerry McQuade, Capital Delivery Director for Network Rail, said: "The awarding of these contracts is a significant milestone for the East Kilbride Enhancement Project and signals the start of the main delivery phase.

"Over the coming weeks, communities will start to see increased activity along the route as the main construction works begin.

"We will work closely with contractors, train operators and other stakeholders to deliver these enhancements in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible, while minimising disruption for both lineside communities and passengers."

Bill Reeve, Transport Scotland's Director of Rail said: "These contract awards demonstrate real progress on the East Kilbride Enhancement Project following the recent announcement, by the Minister for Transport, of full funding for the project.

"Communities along the route will be able to see at first-hand construction get underway in earnest as we move forward with this key Scottish Government investment in rail decarbonisation."

Engineers are currently carrying out ground investigation works on the line as part of the project, with bridge clearance works due to take place at the end of the year and main construction works starting early next year. A series of public drop-in events will take place in the new year to enable communities to find out more about the programme of works being delivered.

The East Kilbride Enhancement Project follows on from the electrification of the Glasgow-Barrhead line, which will see the introduction of ScotRail Class 380 electric passenger trains on the route from December 2023.