Am I correct in thinking that this has already happened for East Kilbride?
According to the NR Scotland Sectional Appendix, yes. (controlled by the West of Scotland SC, Cathcart Workstation)
Am I correct in thinking that this has already happened for East Kilbride?
I would suggest you are a year (s) away from seeing an OLE mast in the ground - the project is still at feasibility stage.Do wonder when we will see the first stanchions?
I would suggest you are a year (s) away from seeing an OLE mast in the ground - the project is still at feasibility stage.
To me the whole process from feasibility study to construction feels considerably quicker than what currently happens on routes south of the border. Is that a misconception or is it accurate?
There’s a Network Rail document I referenced in post #177 that uses the word soon and mentions a contractor having been appointed. I guess ‘soon’ is a fairly flexible term.I would suggest you are a year (s) away from seeing an OLE mast in the ground - the project is still at feasibility stage.
I see, though if they are putting in foundations for OLE, would they be committed?I would suggest you are a year (s) away from seeing an OLE mast in the ground - the project is still at feasibility stage.
According to Transport Scotland the project is at delivery stage: https://www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/rail/prioritisation-of-rail-projects/I would suggest you are a year (s) away from seeing an OLE mast in the ground - the project is still at feasibility stage.
The project is currently at the 'outline design' stage.If the piles are going in, I would have thought that they would be in the right position for masts. Also, the masts must have been defined in order to inform the selection of the correct piles. With all of this, I may be naive to think that the majority of the knitting is also known. Can someone explain what I’m missing, please?
To me the whole process from feasibility study to construction feels considerably quicker than what currently happens on routes south of the border. Is that a misconception or is it accurate?
Thanks for that. I didn’t think I was too far off the mark. What I didn’t realise was that, from your description, in some places, it’s the pile that defines the mast rather than the other way round.The project is currently at the 'outline design' stage.
Yeah, piles are going in on the easier sections of the route. The piles for the contentious areas won't be released until they have solution.
The survey position of the installed foundations will be sent back to the designer for verification. The mast allocations would be released shortly after for installation.
However Scotland, though better, is not as good as sometimes suggested. In two weeks' time we'll be two years into CP6, and they didn't have any electrification plans ready to start on day 1 of CP6 or for about 18 months after.Whatever is the case, I just love that Scotland is just doing it.
However Scotland, though better, is not as good as sometimes suggested. In two weeks' time we'll be two years into CP6, and they didn't have any electrification plans ready to start on day 1 of CP6 or for about 18 months after.
The cost/programme overruns from CP5 may have been a factor as some of the CP6 budget had to be allocated to CP5 projects.However Scotland, though better, is not as good as sometimes suggested. In two weeks' time we'll be two years into CP6, and they didn't have any electrification plans ready to start on day 1 of CP6 or for about 18 months after.
Having a long wait also makes it more likely that something has changed (on the ground, in the standards or in the business case), which makes it more likely that the next stage will have to start by going back to re-do bits of what has been done already.This is definitley an aspect of political rather than industry speed. The UK government has taken a drip feed approach, approving projects one at a time. These projects take a long time to plan, to model the locations of portals and foundations, to check sight lines and clear vegetation, and finally to get boots on the ground doing the building. Each part of a project can only begin when the whole thing has been funded, so in England we see a project approved, then all this stuff, hence long lead times.
Under active consideration --Future phases of Decarbonisation Action Plan
Aberdeen to Central Belt Electrification
Aberdeen to Inverness Electrification
Aberdeen to Inverness Improvements (Phase 2)
Dunblane-Hilton route clearance for future electrification
Electrification - Ayrshire and Glasgow & South West
Electrification - Dunfermline Queen Margaret to Longannet
Electrification - Fife Circle
Electrification - Fife to Perth and Dundee
Highland Mainline Electrification
Prioritisation of rail projects (transport.gov.scot) I mean I think they have learned their lessons (unlike the rest of UK) and at least published a plan and above all a pipeline.
Full article: https://bungoblog.com/more-from-network-rail/Former station building
I truly appreciate the value the community placed on the former station building and am aware of the petition that was launched last year. I also understand that there was no foresight or community discussion before a letter was distributed to inform you of its removal, and I am deeply sorry for this.
With this being a publicly funded project the costs to repair this building outweigh any return that may potentially be achieved, and we cannot justify the use of public money. I have spoken to our team and can share with you that February 2022 is currently being proposed for the demolition of the former station building. I will continue to keep you informed of any updates regarding this.
Footbridge
I would like to assure you that the decision for this bridge to be replaced hasn’t been taken lightly. Our highly experienced project teams have put in significant efforts to be able to retain the bridge in its current state.
Regarding the refurbishment works in 2019, repair and paint works were carried out due to the poor condition of the structure. The structural steelwork was significantly corroded and there was a defect in the bridge deck. Although we were aware of the future possibilities of height restrictions around electrification, the works carried out were required at that time to keep the footbridge open safely. In addition to this and as we have mentioned previously, without formal commitment to electrification, modifying or designing a new bridge is not something we could have undertaken at the time.
Raising the height of the footbridge to allow for electrification includes significant changes to the current structure and would include the addition of 1.8m high parapets and supporting foundations, which would leave little in the way of its original appearance. Similarly, track lowering does not solve the non-compliance issues associated with the bridge, meaning like the above, the bridge would still require the addition of parapets as well as more structural and foundational support. As a result of this, our planning team has discounted these options as it would leave little in the way of the bridges original appearance.
Given its location, we understand the visual importance of this bridge and therefore believe the community should be significantly involved in the selection of its replacement. Our goal is to have footbridge design proposals to share with you in June 2021, where the community will be asked for their views on a preferred option. I would very much like to share these designs with you in person, however with covid restrictions in place, this is something that we may do virtually. I will share further details on this nearer the time.
The cost/programme overruns from CP5 may have been a factor as some of the CP6 budget had to be allocated to CP5 projects.
Network Rail has written to the Strathbungo Society to address concerns raised by the community about the works related to this project. Most notable parts relate to the intention to demolish the old Strathbungo station building and the associated footbridge:
Full article: https://bungoblog.com/more-from-network-rail/
We're due to begin piling works in mid-April between Kennishead and Crossmyloof. It'll take place during the night.
A leaflet we had through the door from Network Rail implied full doubling from Busby-EK as well as stating that Thorntonhall and EK would gain another platform and Hairmyres station was to be relocated.I don’t know how recent it is but this document talks about ‘more’ rather than ‘full’ double tracking between Busby and East Kilbride.
East Kilbride rail electrification | Transport Scotland
www.transport.gov.scot
That’s been my understanding too but I wonder if this is more recent de-scoping of the project, time will tell.A leaflet we had through the door from Network Rail implied full doubling from Busby-EK as well as stating that Thorntonhall and EK would gain another platform and Hairmyres station was to be relocated.