Barrhead public transport users face disruption as two railway bridges are demolished this September weekend holiday as part of a £140 million project. They will be replaced by more modern structures with work to begin early on Saturday morning.
No trains will be running on the Barrhead and East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, lines from 1.15am on Saturday, September 28 until 5.30am on Tuesday, October 1, so the project can be carried out. Replacement buses will run for passengers but will not call at Thornliebank.
Network Rail will remove the bridges on Thornliebank Road in Glasgow’s south side and Westerton Lane near Busby station.
Both bridges are being replaced from September 28 to Tuesday, October 1, to create enough space underneath for new overhead line equipment that will allow electric trains to run on the route.
At the same time, a new accessible bridge will be craned into position at Hairmyres, with drainage works also taking place between Hairmyres and East Kilbride stations.
In addition, a separate £5m track renewal project – designed to improve service reliability – will begin at Busby Junction, where the East Kilbride and Barrhead lines meet.
Paul Reilly, Network Rail senior programme manager, said: “We’re advising passengers to plan ahead as no trains will run on both the East Kilbride and Barrhead lines on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Closing both lines is the only way we can safely deliver the bridge demolitions.
“We’re also using this closure to deliver other critical elements of the project, such as the bridge lift at Hairmyres, so that an additional closure of the line will not be required.
“Our thanks to go passengers and the wider community for their patience and understanding while we deliver these vital parts of the project.”
Customers can check the status of their journeys for East Kilbride to Glasgow and Glasgow to Barrhead/Kilmarnock services by visiting www.ScotRail.co.uk or www.nationalrail.co.uk
As a result of the works, ScotRail is urging customers to plan ahead and allow extra time for their journeys. Passengers are reminded that journeys may take longer than the train service – and fewer seats will be available for those travelling.
ScotRail is also encouraging folk to buy their train tickets in advance via mTickets on the ScotRail app.
Buying on mTicket means people can secure their tickets from the comfort of home, or on the way to the station, and they will instantly become available on their mobile device, reducing the need to queue at the station.
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said: “The works being carried out by Network Rail this weekend are absolutely critical in the latest phase of the project to upgrade the railway between Glasgow and East Kilbride.
“Unfortunately, it does mean that we need to run a replacement bus service while the railway is closed, and we are urging customers to plan their journey in advance.
“We will do everything we can to keep people moving, and we are looking forward to the fantastic benefits this project will bring for customers.”
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