Network Rail has announced that Carillion Powerlines Ltd has won the contract to deliver the electrification of the Shotts line between Holytown Junction and Midcalder Junction.
The £49m contract will deliver 74km of electrified railway, as part of a wider £160m Scottish Government investment in the line between Scotland’s largest cities.
The contract covers the physical delivery of all elements required to electrify the line, such as erecting stanchions and stringing the overhead powerlines, and will be carried out in tandem with work on a range of bridges as part of a route clearance programme to ensure the power cables can run under structures on the line.
Electric services will be introduced on Edinburgh-Glasgow Central via Shotts following completion of the work in 2019 and will offer improved reliability and increased capacity for passengers.
Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “The Scottish Government’s funding of the electrification of the Shotts Line, and our overall £5billion package of investment in our railway, demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the Scottish rail network.
“This work contributes to the transformation of services across the central belt as part of the wider package of investment to enhance rail travel between the country’s two biggest cities, meaning passengers will see shorter journey times, increased capacity and better reliability.
“This contract award is a major step forward in the delivery of the electrification programme and rail passengers across North Lanarkshire and West Lothian will feel the benefits for many years to come with an improved service on the line.”
Iain McFarlane, head of programme management for Network Rail, said: “This contract is a significant milestone for the delivery of the Shotts electrification project and further underlines our commitment to investing in and enhancing our infrastructure as part of our UK-wide railway upgrade plan.
“Throughout this project we will work closely with contractors, train operators and other stakeholders to deliver in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible while minimising disruption for both lineside communities and passengers.”
Martin C Smith, Managing Director Carillon Powerlines said: “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract to electrify the Shotts line across central Scotland and we look forward to working with the project team to enhance the railway network.
“This award reflects the depth of experience we can demonstrate in delivering infrastructure enhancements in a railway environment and will further enhance the relationship we have developed with Network Rail.”