Scottish Transport Minister makes Commonwealth Games electrification pledge

Transport Minister Keith Brown has said that Scotland’s Whifflet route, between Glasgow, Rutherglen and Coatbridge, will be fully electrified in time for the Glasgow 2014 games.

Updating parliament on Scotland’s electrification plans, Brown said the £30 million scheme would be completed four years ahead of schedule to coincide with the event.

Work on the Whifflet route is part of Scotland’s wider rail electrification and improvement programme, worth around £650 million.

Mr Brown said: “The Scottish Government is determined to deliver rail services that connect communities with cities and people with jobs, and EGIP is playing a central role in delivering that ambition. I was delighted to be able to update Parliament today on the many elements of the schemes which are now completed, currently under construction, or being planned.

“In particular, I was delighted to announce that the Scottish Government has approved industry plans to bring forward the electrification of the Whifflet route in time for the Games next summer, some four years ahead of schedule.

“Delivery of the deal, which will see an investment of some £29.6 million to electrify this stretch of track, will allow greater flexibility in deploying trains to help meet passenger demand during the games, as well as free up rolling stock to run elsewhere on the network, including during the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles in September 2014.




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