East Kilbride/Barrhead electrification updates

[d9009alycidon]

Noticed masts up today at the new Hairmyers Station and towards the Glasgow Southern Orbital overbridge.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Noticed masts up today at the new Hairmyers Station and towards the Glasgow Southern Orbital overbridge.

Good news and nice steady progress.

 

[OB23Gone]

Trip Between Hairmyres and Thorntonhall Thur. 15 Nov 2024. I was surprised to see the number of masts in between the Old Hairmyres Station and through to the far end of the New Station. Most have Gantries’ and additional equipment fitted. In picture 1 EK line will be totally new and will align with the masts and the Glasgow (existing) line will be slewed over to the left. Old station platform will be altered to suit this new alignment by how much remains to be seen.

The North Car Park has basically been levelled out ready for final infills and surfacing. Rumour is that not all will be done and is dependent on usage but with an eye to expanding it if usage requires extra spaces.

Took the Peel Road to Thorntonhall and a few masts are in situ with arms etc fitted. The Thornton Farm rail bridge can be seen now leaf fall is almost over so it sticks out now. Thorntonhall. Masts now have arms fitted but the ones’ on either side of the bridge have an extra Bit Fitted? presumably to do with the passage under the bridge for maintaining clearances. A Techie guy out there may be better able to inform us not that up with technical terms​

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Nov 2024 ==

Glasgow bound train at Thorntonhall showing Mast arm with addition piece on arm

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Wow. Thank you so much for posting. Absolutely fantastic set of action shots showing really great progress. Photos are well annotated too.

 

[MadMac]

Great set of pics and as a former long-time user of this line, it’s remarkable to see the changes. As to the strange OHL “hardware” around Thorntonhall, not my field of expertise, but I don’t recall ever seeing anything like those. They may be “bespoke” for this particular situation.

 

[Nottingham59]

Great set of pics and as a former long-time user of this line, it’s remarkable to see the changes. As to the strange OHL “hardware” around Thorntonhall, not my field of expertise, but I don’t recall ever seeing anything like those. They may be “bespoke” for this particular situation.

I think those funny looking arm ends are just normal components that have been strapped up with cable ties to keep them out of the way until the catenary wire is installed.

 

[380101]

I think those funny looking arm ends are just normal components that have been strapped up with cable ties to keep them out of the way until the catenary wire is installed.

Exactly this.

The part of the arm that the contact wire is fixed to is currently secured up out of the way to prevent any damage to them. The doubled up arms either side of the bridge at Thorntonhall are possibly in place to provide extra rigidity to the wires for under the bridge to maintain clearances.

 

[59CosG95]

Exactly this.

The part of the arm that the contact wire is fixed to is currently secured up out of the way to prevent any damage to them. The doubled up arms either side of the bridge at Thorntonhall are possibly in place to provide extra rigidity to the wires for under the bridge to maintain clearances.

The "double arm" arrangement for the low clearances at Thorntonhall is for very low clearances.
One arm supports the contact, as normal. The other supports the contenary (i.e. catenary wire with a contact wire's conductor).

 

[deerokus]

The work they've done at Giffnock recently to prepare for the new bridge is quite interesting, after clearing all the vegetation and putting in a new pedestrian path while removing the old one, it's suddenly quite apparent where the old quarry branch line was.

 

[OB23Gone]

Firstly Thanks to both 380101 &59CosG95 FOR THE EXPLANATION about the support twin arms. Very much appreciated and clears up a lot of questions, On Sunday I had gone to Thornliebank to see if the 3 bridge wing panels had indeed been installed as had been mentioned to me by the guys on the job. In fact the work did not go ahead on Saturday night. So went to Giffnock to have a look. The 6 piles on the car park, Platform 1, for the stairs were being cored week of 6th Nov have been installed. The access to the base for the lifts and the stairs has been cleared ready for coring and piles. Monday went back round to Thornliebank and the remaining wing panels had been installed. Only the foot way/bridge to go on now. Plenty of other works obviously ie roadway, infills and all 27 services etc.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Nov 2024 ==

Station view of almost completed bridge

 

[s55823ewj]

I've found a 28 March 2024 East Renfrewshire council document detailing a possible active travel bridge crossing parallel to the existing B767/Stamperland Crescent bridge. It also confirms that the new entrance to Clarkston station will be from the north end of Platform 2, connecting to the car park, as most of us expected. Notably it also mentions a possible new stepped access to the westbound platform 1.

https://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/media/10159/Cabinet-Item-08-28-March-2024/pdf/Cabinet_Item_08_-_28_March_2024.pdf?m=1710434347127.

Quoting just the important sections as the document is quite long:
1. The purpose of this report is to inform Members about the Clarkston Active Travel Bridge and to seek approval to directly appoint Network Rail to design a new active travel bridge across the railway at Clarkston adjacent to the existing B767 road bridge and install the Active Travel Bridge on site.
3. The department is currently leading the development of the Clarkston to Muirend Active Corridor funded via the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme. This project aims to improve active travel infrastructure on the B767, which is identified and approved by Council as Strategic Cycle Corridor 3 in Local Development Plan 2.
4. A key constraint is the existing crossings of the railway at Clarkston. The B767 road bridge has a substandard footway that is too narrow to accommodate separated cycleway, while the nearby footbridge is unsuitable for cycle traffic due to its limited width and indirect route. A feasibility study conducted in 2021 by AECOM concluded that these constraints could be overcome by constructing a new foot/cycle bridge adjacent to the current road bridge.
5. The Council has worked with Network Rail to prepare a ‘Development Services Agreement’, which would see Network Rail lead the project. Funding has been awarded via Transport Scotland’s Active Travel Transformation Fund to support design activity.
6. The report is seeking Cabinet approval for an exemption to standard procurement procedures to allow East Renfrewshire Council to directly award the contract to Network Rail with an estimated cost of £193,500 to carry out a full design package for a new walking, wheeling and cycling bridge across the railway at Clarkston adjacent to the existing B767 road bridge. This will also create a safe link between the Goods Yards car park and the town centre.
7. The project justification to proceed with the direct award is as follows: a. Delivery of the detailed design activity by the Council would depend on obtaining access to the railway to conduct topographical and ground investigation surveys. Network Rail’s approval of any work carried out on-site by a third party (and the signing of an ‘asset protection’ agreement) is a mandatory and lengthy process. This would present a risk that the proposed project would not be achieved within the timeframe of the railway electrification project, leading to future construction constraints, negative effects on the local community and railway users, and possible inability to achieve a crossing in the near future. b. Network Rail electrification of the Glasgow to East Kilbride railway line is a live project and there is a risk that the design process would not take account of the new pedestrian and cycle bridge design. An agreement with Network Rail would allow seamless working between our project and Network Rail and reduce any delays or negative effects. c. Network Rail is required to improve station accessibility and access as a part of their project on the railway, this will include a new footbridge being installed, and a new access from platform two from its northern end into the Clarkston town centre carpark. The agreement between the Council and Network Rail will allow a more appealing and accessible step-free access to the station platform two and stepped access to platform one.
8. It is considered that the criteria for a Regulation 33 exemption and standing order 23 exemption are therefore met for the following reasons: a. The design and construction of the proposed foot/cycle bridge must integrate with the current electrification project by Network Rail, which has already commenced on site from both a technical and timescale perspective. The bridge must be designed to fit with and be completed prior to Network Rail works. b. The key sections of the new bridge would be constructed during closure of the railway for the electrification works in Spring 2025 and so the design and all preliminary tasks would require to be completed by this date to avoid further closure of the railway and to avoid difficulties in providing improved accessible access to the station platforms.
9. The contract award to Network Rail to carry out the design package for the bridge is £193,500.
10. Full funding (£240,000) has been awarded by Transport Scotland via the Active Travel Transformation Fund (ATTF), to progress the concept and detailed designs for this new crossing. The ATTF award includes allowance for Council officer time to oversee this work and contingencies. There is no additional financial burden on the Council to progress this design work.

 

[Southsider]

I've found a 28 March 2024 East Renfrewshire council document detailing a possible active travel bridge crossing parallel to the existing B767/Stamperland Crescent bridge. It also confirms that the new entrance to Clarkston station will be from the north end of Platform 2, connecting to the car park, as most of us expected. Notably it also mentions a possible new stepped access to the westbound platform 1.

https://www.eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk/media/10159/Cabinet-Item-08-28-March-2024/pdf/Cabinet_Item_08_-_28_March_2024.pdf?m=1710434347127.

They’ve left that a bit late, Network Rail’s planning will have been well advanced by then. The council should have engaged at the outset to replace the 150 year old, dog leg bridge which is unsuitable for existing traffic never mind the active travel concept. They have history, having bickered over replacing the metal footbridge a number of years ago. I suspect they were hoping someone else would pay for it.

 

[d9009alycidon]

So, is the existing footbridge linking the car park not suitable? It would seem odd to have two footbridges so close to each other.

 

[s55823ewj]

I think it's a bit too narrow and squiggly for bikes, and it doesn't connect well to the Stamperland Crescent northbound where the council have aspirations to extend a cycle lane to Muirend.

 

[d9009alycidon]

First masts have sprouted between Hairmyers and East Kilbride,.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

First masts have sprouted between Haimyres and East Kilbride,.

Great stuff.

 

[OB23Gone]

East Kilbride To New Hairmyres Station Friday 29/11/2024 Piles Masts & Groundworks Update. Station Office base progress is well advanced and Services Conduits can be seen popping up through the floor. Give a feel of shape and size. Next Looking back from Strathfillan Rd, OB EKE/015A1 towards EK Station. Piles all seem to be in situ. Other side of bridge towards Kirktonholme Rd OB no masts bar 1 at the very end but some evidence of some piles and possibly all of them. Must apologise for the quality of the photos in this area from the day. Kirktonholme OB EK side has all the piles in with 3 masts up. At the other side of the bridge looking over the end of the Loop all piles are in and 8 masts fitted.

Next stop was the footbridge which runs between Eaglesham Rd and Tennant Ave. This is where the loop will be extended from to past the new Hairmyres Station end. There are and will be much ground works in the area. There are plenty of piles already in and I have no doubt there will be more to be installed. No masts fitted on the Hairmyres side but the Queensway side has a few installed close to The Queensway. So a lot of work completed before the 16 week Blockade.

 

[MadMac]

East Kilbride To New Hairmyres Station Friday 29/11/2024 Piles Masts & Groundworks Update. Station Office base progress is well advanced and Services Conduits can be seen popping up through the floor. Give a feel of shape and size. Next Looking back from Strathfillan Rd, OB EKE/015A1 towards EK Station. Piles all seem to be in situ. Other side of bridge towards Kirktonholme Rd OB no masts bar 1 at the very end but some evidence of some piles and possibly all of them. Must apologise for the quality of the photos in this area from the day. Kirktonholme OB EK side has all the piles in with 3 masts up. At the other side of the bridge looking over the end of the Loop all piles are in and 8 masts fitted.

Next stop was the footbridge which runs between Eaglesham Rd and Tennant Ave. This is where the loop will be extended from to past the new Hairmyres Station end. There are and will be much ground works in the area. There are plenty of piles already in and I have no doubt there will be more to be installed. No masts fitted on the Hairmyres side but the Queensway side has a few installed close to The Queensway. So a lot of work completed before the 16 week Blockade.

Great update as always. Question: is the loop being extended at the EK end as well? I was of the impression that it was only being extended at the Hairmyres end.

 

[OB23Gone]

Great update as always. Question: is the loop being extended at the EK end as well? I was of the impression that it was only being extended at the Hairmyres end.

It is only the Hairmyres end. The existing end ends just between Kirktonholme OB and the Queenaway so goes from there to the other side of the New Hairmyres Station

 

[MadMac]

It is only the Hairmyres end. The existing end ends just between Kirktonholme OB and the Queenaway so goes from there to the other side of the New Hairmyres Station

Just had another look at Picture 6, I’m with you now.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

It is only the Hairmyres end. The existing end ends just between Kirktonholme OB and the Queenaway so goes from there to the other side of the New Hairmyres Station

Great update thank you.

 

[OB23Gone]

Some recent changes. Last Visits. EK Station Shuttering removed but not a great deal more of a difference. Checked out the other sites but no notable difference until Old Hairmyres Station where another High-Rise Pile noted. No real change noted towards the New Station. New Station works moving on and car park progressing steadily. The main difference was between Redwood Drive to Thornton Farm Bridge with almost all the piles and masts installed. Also, an update for EKE/032 Westerton Lane Bridge Structurally Complete

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Dec 2024 ==

Thorton Road Pics & Westerton Lane New Bridge

 

[d9009alycidon]

Quick snap of the worksite at Busby Station, this is the foundations for the new footbridge.

 

[s55823ewj]

New Tellmescotland notices issued for areas around the Busby Station.

Parking suspension on The Paddock, Glenville Terrace and Westerton Avenue 23/01 - 03/05 "in order to facilitate the safe operation of Network Rail Bridge works on or near the road". (https://tellmescotland.gov.uk/tellm...ail?uuid=a7910860-29a0-36a4-b9bf-ecfa7489dac6)

Temporary road restriction – The Paddock, Glenville Terrace & Westerton Avenue, Busby

A Temporary Restriction Notice has been raised authorising the prohibition of parking on a section of The Paddock, Glenville Terrace & Westerton Avenue, Busby, in order to facilitate the safe operation of Network Rail Bridge works on or near the road.

The restriction will be in effect from Thursday 23rd January to Monday 3rd March 2025.

Parking suspension on Station Road 24/01 - 07/02 same reason as above
(https://tellmescotland.gov.uk/tellm...ail?uuid=835acb98-e1d3-3d67-99ae-3d9d6df46bb5)

Temporary road restriction – Station Road, Busby

A Temporary Restriction Notice has been raised authorising the prohibition of parking on Station Road, Busby, in order to facilitate the safe operation of Network Rail Bridge works on or near the road.

The restriction will be in effect from Friday 24th January to Friday 7th February 2025.

 

[Starmill]

Thank you for the above updates!

 

[s55823ewj]

New planning application submitted for the new bridge at Clarkston https://ercbuildingstandards.eastre...ils.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=SODOQQGP08600

2024/0617/PAR Demolition of existing footbridge and installation of new footbridge (prior approval)
Clarkston Railway Station 35 Busby Road Clarkston Glasgow East Renfrewshire G76 7BN

One thing of note from the images is that the plans for lift access at this station appear to have been dropped.

 

[Starmill]

New planning application submitted for the new bridge at Clarkston https://ercbuildingstandards.eastre...ils.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=SODOQQGP08600

One thing of note from the images is that the plans for lift access at this station appear to have been dropped.

Is it possible it's just not drawn accurately or has the work genuinely been descoped?

 

[s55823ewj]

It seems very unlikely to be drawn wrong, since it is the actual application to allow them to build. I'm guessing from the images there were space constraints, since the new bridge is much larger than the existing one. The images also make it clear the new bridge has much greater clearance than the old - they're demolishing the eastbound shelter and removing some benches to make room for the extra steps needed.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

The relocated Hairmyres station is expected to open in late May, as reported in The Record here. WARNING a very heavily ad infested webpage, virtually between every sentence. Extract:

The new Hairmyres station is set to open in May 2025, coinciding with the completion of the 16-week works.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

So do we have a new estimated date for electric trains running to EK?