A new 20 million GBP project to upgrade overhead power lines on Scotland’s first electrified railway has officially begun.
Work is set to focus on sections of the North Clyde lines, which run from Helensburgh, Balloch and Milngavie through Glasgow’s west end and low‑level stations.
The busiest suburban network outside London, it stands as one of the most critical parts of Scotland’s railway.
First switched on in 1960, its inception marked the beginning of modern travel across the country, and now it provides electric services running on routes including East Kilbride and Barrhead, with further expansion also underway in Fife and the Scottish Borders.
The majority of original equipment in and around the North Clyde area is now more than 65 years-old, and is nearing the end of its working life – meaning renewal has become essential.
Preparatory work has begun, including the refurbishment of equipment holding overhead wires in place, such as the cantilevers and other supporting components.
Intensive engineering work to replace wires themselves will be carried out over the Christmas and New Year period for the next three years, when passenger numbers are lower.
Ross Moran, Route Director at Network Rail Scotland, said:This stretch of railway was where electrification began in Scotland and marked a real turning point. It changed how people travelled around Glasgow and helped shape the network we use today.
We know how vital this area is to the railway as a whole. A single issue on the North Clyde can quickly affect services well beyond Glasgow, which is why this work is being planned now rather than waiting for more serious failures and wider disruption later.
This project is about looking after the railway that people rely on every day. By renewing it now, we are helping to make sure it continues to serve passengers and communities long into the future.
