Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme, Scotland

Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) is a set of enhancement works being carried out on the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail corridor. EGIP is the single largest rail improvement programme in Scotland to date. These improvements will contribute to the long term economic sustainability of Scotland.

The £1bn EGIP is designed to raise service levels on all routes passing through Edinburgh and Glasgow. The improvement programme will increase today's five or six services an hour with the fastest journey time of 50 minutes to 13 services each hour with the fastest journey time of around 35 minutes.

The construction of the EGIP is expected to start in spring 2012. The entire programme will be completed by 2016, subject to consultation and approval by the Scottish Government.

EGIP project details

EGIP is a part of the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) study recommending a package of interventions to the current rail services in Scotland between 2012 and 2022.

The programme will enhance connections and service levels, as well as reduce travel times between Edinburgh and Glasgow via all routes. It will also benefit the riders travelling to and from Alloa, Dunblane and Stirling.

The corridor stretches approximately 42 miles between Edinburgh and Glasgow. It continues mostly through the region in Central Scotland and includes the East Dunbartonshire, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Falkirk and West Lothian areas. It serves major towns such as Motherwell, Cumbernauld, Falkirk,and Livingston.

EGIP was unveiled to the public only in June 2011 although the development began in 2007. It is the largest building package in phased improvements in the central Scotland rail corridor. It will be financed by Transport Scotland and implemented by Network Rail.

Infrastructure

The EGIP will involve construction of a new railway station between Edinburgh and Fife. The rail / tram interchange station at Gogar will be integrated with the new Edinburgh Tram network for creating an onward connection to Edinburgh Airport. The project will thus improve public transport access to the airport and the surrounding business development area.

The existing station at Haymarket will be replaced with a modern £25m station to provide a superior interchange with the existing bus network, the new Edinburgh Tram network and local taxi services.

The upgrade will also increase the passenger capacity and make the station fully compliant with the regulations of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

The additional capacity provided for Fife and the North East of Scotland will allow the operator to deliver improved services.

The improvement programme will also involve the construction of bridges, new junctions, turn-backs, interchange stations and stabling facilities. Network Rail awarded a £27m bridgeworks contract to BAM Nuttall in December 2011.

The project will electrify the 350km route from Edinburgh to Glasgow via Falkirk and linked diversionary routes. The routes north of the Carmuirs area to Dunblane and Alloa will also be electrified.

Electrification of these routes will not only reduce journey time but also allow the Scottish Government to meet its sustainability targets. The first contract for the electrification of Edinburgh's Haymarket north tunnel was awarded to Carillion in August 2010.

Rolling stock

The electrified routes under EGIP will be introduced with a new fleet of electric multiple units (EMUs). Each unit will have three cars and be operated with six car formations during peak times.

The programme assessed that about 55 new EMU's will be needed for the routes electrified under the upgrade. According to the current plan, 12 of these units will provide services terminating in the Stirling area.

This will lead to the creation of sheltering requirements in the Stirling area to accommodate up to 36 units. The Stirling area will also require a new external washing facility for trains as the northern limit of electrification is done at Dunblane.