Major £20m upgrade for Scotland’s busiest rail line could mean disruption for next three years

A £20m project is underway to upgrade the overhead power lines on Scotland’s original electrified railway. , , The work will focus on sections of the North Clyde lines, which… Credit: Network Rail

A MAJOR £20million upgrade is set to be carried out on Scotland’s busiest rail line – but it could cause disruption for the next three years.

Network Rail has announced that works are due to be carried out to improve overhead power lines across the railway this Christmas.

Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter

Thank you!

The works are due to be carried out on Scotland’s busiest rail line Credit: Network Rail

It is part of a £20million upgrade Credit: Network Rail

It will focus on several sections along the North Clyde lines, which is the busiest suburban network outside London.

These lines run from Helensburgh, Balloch and Milngavie through Glasgow’s west end – and one of the most critical parts of Scotland’s railway. 

The electrification of the North Clyde was switched on in 1960, marking the beginning of modern rail travel across the country.

But most of the equipment in and around the area is now 65-years-old, meaning it is at the end of its working life.

And this means that works are due to be carried out to upgrade the current system

Some of the preparatory work has already started, which includes refurbishing the equipment that holds the overhead wires in place.

The cantilevers and other supporting components were upgraded as part of this stage.

But more intensive engineering work is scheduled to be carried out over the Christmas and New Year period to replace the wires themselves.

But Network Rail has warned that this could take a while for the works to be completed.

Bosses have said that the works will be carried out over the festive break for the next three years.

This is set to cause major disruption for thousands of passengers stretching into the festive period of 2029.

The rail operator said that the works were planned for then because it is “when passenger numbers are lower and the line can be closed with less travel impacts.”

It will impact travellers during the festive period for the next three years Credit: Network Rail

Fare prices ‘frozen’

JOHN Swinney announced in February that ScotRail fares will be frozen for the next year.

The First Minister said the move, which impacts thousands of commuters, is part of his focus on easing the cost of living in the country.

It came just under six months after the Scottish Government scrapped peak fares for good.

The government said this cut costs by as much as 48 per cent.

The freeze will apply to all ScotRail fares, including Season tickets and Flexipass.

Rail fare hikes are usually imposed from April of each year, with 2025 seeing an increase of 3.8 per cent.

The Government hopes the move will make rail travel “a much more credible option” for Scots.

Speaking at Edinburgh Waverley station, the First Minister said: “I know the cost of living crisis is still hurting people across Scotland – and this government is determined to take action to support people wherever we can.

“Freezing rail fares is an important way for us to keep people’s costs down and keep more money in their pockets.

“The Scottish Government is resolutely focused on supporting people with the cost of living – and food, electricity and other costs continue to rise, we are taking action to keep the costs of people’s commute down.”

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.” 

Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, added: “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.”