Network Rail has announced that a major construction project in East Kilbride, expected to take 16-months to complete, with begin on 05 February 2024.

The new station building will be a key milestone in the East Kilbride Enhancement project and is part of a wider £139.8m investment at the centre of the Scottish Government's ongoing strategy to decarbonise Scotland's Railway.

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 5 February, 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 provides 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.

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"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.

Community Drop-in Events:

• Wednesday, 07 February 2024 - Kirktonholme Hall,111 Kirktonholme Road, West Mains, East Kilbride, G74 1B, 3pm to 7pm.

• Tuesday, 20 February 2024 - Duncanrig Secondary School, 72-76 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 should they need to utilise public car parks in East Kilbride Village (e.g. Main Street and Old Mill Road near the Co-Op)  or in the Town Centre (e.g. Ballerup Hall and Andrew Street car parks next to the Police Station and Hunter Community Health Centre).

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