A MAJOR £20 million upgrade of the overhead power lines on Scotland’s original electrified railway is underway.
Network Rail has announced work on focusing on sections of the North Clyde lines, which run from Helensburgh, Balloch and Milngavie through Glasgow’s west end and low‑level stations has begun.
The rail network operator said the line is the busiest suburban network outside London and one of the most critical parts of Scotland’s railway.
Switched on in 1960, the electrification of the North Clyde marked the beginning of modern rail travel in Scotland, and decades later, it continues to “shape the network” today.
Electric services run on routes across Scotland, such as East Kilbride and Barrhead, and further expansion is underway in Fife and the Scottish Borders.
Now more than 65 years old and nearing the end of its working life, much of the original equipment in and around the North Clyde area is in need of upgrading to keep trains running safely and reliably.
Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland, said the North Clyde area is vital to the railway as a whole, adding that a single issue on the route can “quickly affect services” well beyond Glasgow.
He 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.”
Network Rail confirmed that reparatory work has already begun, including refurbishing the equipment that holds the overhead wires in place, such as the cantilevers and other supporting components.
More intensive engineering work to replace the wires themselves is scheduled over the Christmas and New Year period for the next three years, due to passenger numbers being lower during the festive period so the line can be closed with less travel disruption.
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said the investment by Network Rail will help improve the “long-term reliability” of the North Clyde infrastructure.
He said: “The North Clyde routes are a vital part of Scotland’s Railway, connecting communities from Argyll and Bute right through to West Lothian, supporting thousands of journeys every day.
“This investment by Network Rail will help improve the long-term reliability of the infrastructure that keeps our electric trains moving.
“We know that some journeys will look a little different when the main body of work takes place later this year, which is why we’ll be working closely with Network Rail to keep customers updated, and make sure they have the information they need to plan ahead and travel with confidence.”
