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Tuesday 13 Jul 2021

Hairmyres station on track for relocation and expansion

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Plans to relocate Hairmyres station have moved closer as Scotland’s Railway, South Lanarkshire Council and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) have agreed to fund and develop an expanded transport interchange.

Plans to relocate Hairmyres station have moved closer as Scotland’s Railway, South Lanarkshire Council and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) have agreed to fund and develop an expanded transport interchange.

As part of the East Kilbride Enhancements Project, Hairmyres station is moving to a new site off Redwood Avenue – approximately 600-metres to the west of its existing location.

Work is set to begin in 2024 on the new 18-acre site and the facility, with it being completed and operational by the end of the summer.

As part of the project, Network Rail, Transport Scotland, South Lanarkshire Council and SPT will fund and develop a major transport interchange with park-and-ride facilities.

The expanded Hairmyres will also have significant electric vehicle charging provisions, active travel improvements and a new bus interchange.

The East Kilbride Enhancements Project will play a key part in the Scottish Government’s plans to decarbonise Scotland’s rail passenger services by 2035 providing more capacity on the route with greener and quieter trains.

The project will also include the upgrade of East Kilbride station as well as route-wide platform alterations, accessibility upgrades and a future improvement to the timetable.

Graeme Dey, Transport Minister, said: “The East Kilbride Enhancements Project is a central part of our commitment to decarbonise Scotland’s Railway by 2035 and is clear evidence that, together with our industry partners, we are delivering on this as early as possible.

“When completed, this project will offer transformative public transport options that will encourage more people out of their cars and onto trains. Improving the passenger experience is pivotal to help drive a shift from road to rail and that is why the new Hairmyres station will be a welcome boost to passengers and the local economy alike.

“As we begin to emerge from the pandemic, electrification projects such as East Kilbride show we can build back not only better but greener too.”

Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland’s Railway, said: “The East Kilbride line is a key transport corridor serving growing communities to the south of Scotland’s largest city.

“The East Kilbride Enhancements Project will help to transform travel on this route, delivering new and upgraded station facilities, more services and more reliable journeys. The project is also vital to our ambitions to decarbonise rail in Scotland by 2035.

“The redevelopment of Hairmyres is a fantastic opportunity to improve the passenger experience and demonstrates what can be achieved when we work collaboratively with our partners.”

Councillor John Anderson, chair of South Lanarkshire Council’s Community and Enterprise Committee, said: “This really is a great move and a win, win for everyone. Anything that improves access to a greater range of public transport options and promotes sustainable commuting opportunities is to be applauded.

“Active travel is high on the council’s agenda. The facilities that this new station will not only provide everyone with more environmentally friendly modes of transport, but also bring more accessible retail opportunities to the wider community.”

Councillor Dr Martin Bartos, SPT chair, said: “SPT is proud to be funding and working alongside partners in helping deliver a new transport interchange and strategic park and ride at the relocated Hairmyres station.

“We are committed to ensuring a fully integrated approach for improving bus and rail connections as well as delivering good walking and cycling connections to nearby towns.

“This is also a fantastic example of partners working collaboratively to improve public transport and which will transform the station into a modern and vibrant integrated transport hub, offering more sustainable travel choices for people.”