With just one month remaining until the scheduled reopening on 18 May, significant progress has been made on the East Kilbride-Glasgow Central line upgrade, as engineers have successfully laid new tracks and installed overhead power lines along the route.

The 16-week closure, implemented in January, has allowed specialist teams from Network Rail to work continuously on the infrastructure required to power electric trains. This forms part of a substantial £140 million investment by the Scottish Government aimed at modernising the railway line.

Key achievements during the closure period include the doubling of 1.4 kilometres of track between East Kilbride and Hairmyres, the installation of over 22 kilometres of overhead electric power lines, and the erection of new footbridges at Busby, Clarkston, and Giffnock stations. Additionally, the railway bridge over East Kilbride Road in Busby has been renewed, and the track has been lowered beneath three key bridges to accommodate the new infrastructure.

Looking ahead to the line's reopening, engineers will now focus on completing the installation of new signalling systems and finalising the construction of the new Hairmyres station. This new two-platform station, featuring an accessible footbridge, is situated approximately 500 metres west of the previous station and is set to welcome passengers next month.

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The £7.2 million transport interchange at Hairmyres, a collaborative effort with South Lanarkshire Council, will offer enhanced park and ride and bus interchange facilities, including around 500 parking spaces and traffic signal-controlled junctions for car park access. The development also incorporates new active travel connections, cycle parking, an upgraded nearby junction, and a new pedestrian crossing on Eaglesham Road. While the south car park and roughly half of the north car park will be operational by 18 May, the remaining section of the north car park is expected to be completed over the summer.

Paul Reilly, Network Rail senior programme manager, commented on the progress: "The complex engineering work we have completed over the past three months is critical to the successful electrification of the line. Our engineers have been working around-the-clock to deliver these enhancements as quickly as possible and we remain on course to welcome passengers back onto the railway in May. We understand the inconvenience the closure has caused for both customers and some of our neighbours and we thank them for their patience while we build a better, greener railway for the local community."

Colin Park, Head of Roads, Transportation and Fleet Services at South Lanarkshire Council, highlighted the long-term benefits: "Travelling by bus and rail in East Kilbride has always been popular and with the two new stations and all the other associated works, this will continue to make travelling by public transport attractive for residents of East Kilbride. It's great to see the speed at which a project of this scale has been brought forward and I'm sure passengers will benefit greatly as they return to use these new facilities next month."

Upon the full completion of the project in December 2025, the investment will deliver the electrification of the railway between Glasgow and East Kilbride, a new station at East Kilbride, the new two-platform station with an accessible footbridge at Hairmyres, a new footbridge at Busby station, improved access at Giffnock with a new accessible footbridge, and enhanced access to Platform 2 at Clarkston station.

During the ongoing 16-week closure, no train services are operating to East Kilbride until 18 May. Passengers are advised to utilise the replacement bus services and to consult the ScotRail website for further information: scotrail.co.uk/east-kilbride-enhancement-project.