Media centre

Monday 27 Jan 2014

Alliancing contract signals new phase in Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Network Rail has today announced the awarding of alliancing contracts with Costain and Morgan Sindall to develop the detailed scope, programme and target price for the £650m Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP).

In a £5m deal, the companies will work with Network Rail over the next five months to develop in-depth plans for the electrification of the main Glasgow Queen Street-Edinburgh Waverley line and other major projects that form part of EGIP.

Network Rail is on target to deliver the electrification of the line by 2016 as planned and today’s announcement enables the infrastructure operator to progress towards awarding contracts for the main, circa £250m, civil engineering and electrification works later this summer.

The works will comprise electrification of the main Edinburgh-Glasgow route, via Falkirk High, including route clearance works at Winchburgh Tunnel as well as rail infrastructure works at Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley Stations and extensions to intermediate platforms at Croy, Falkirk High, Polmont and Linlithgow.

David Dickson, Network Rail’s acting route managing director for Scotland, said: “EGIP is a unique opportunity to modernise the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line and transform services for passengers. The alliancing approach we have announced today will also allow us to work more closely with contractors and stakeholders to plan the project in the most efficient, cost-effective way for passengers and tax-payers alike.”

Transport Minister Keith Brown added: “This announcement represents another hugely important milestone in the delivery of EGIP and shows that we are pressing ahead with the improvements which will give Scotland a railway fit for the future.

“I was delighted only last month to open the new £25m station building at Haymarket which was completed on time and on budget and has transformed facilities at one of our most iconic stations. We are charging ahead with the electrification of the Cumbernauld line and I look forward to the introduction of electric services on this important route in time for the Commonwealth Games.

“This is further evidence of close collaborative working between Transport Scotland and Network Rail and the excellent progress being made with EGIP.”

A Scottish Government-funded scheme, EGIP is delivering a rolling programme of electrification across the Central Belt – reducing journey times and boosting capacity on routes including the main Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen St line.

The programme has already delivered a new £25m station at Haymarket in Edinburgh and completed work at 42 bridges on EGIP routes to create the correct clearances for electrification while work to electrify the Glasgow-Cumbernauld line and provide a new station for the town will be completed in summer 2014.