The Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP)

A Scottish Government priority, EGIP was delivered by Network Rail and included modernisation and upgrades to key junctions and infrastructure as well as widespread electrification of the Scottish rail network, first between Edinburgh and Glasgow via Falkirk High, and then the routes between Edinburgh/Glasgow and Stirling, Dunblane and Alloa.

EGIP also included the complete redevelopment of Glasgow Queen Street station and improvements to two others, a new station at Edinburgh Gateway and a new train depot at Millerhill.

In total, the programme delivered:

150 kilometres of new electrified railway;

Three redeveloped stations: Cumbernauld, Haymarket and Glasgow Queen Street;

One new station: Edinburgh Gateway;

One new depot for electric trains at Millerhill, east of Edinburgh;

Longer platforms, to take longer trains at Linlithgow, Polmont, Falkirk High and Croy.

NCB was appointed to lead the independent certification of the work between 2016 and 2020.

How we delivered the project

NCB was appointed to act as the Notified Body, Designated Body and Assessment Body.

To maintain good communications, NCB staff were co-located in the same building as the EGIP programme team. Regular meetings were held with the project’s management, with NCB ensuring that the same lead assessor always attended, taking the lead as strong working relationships were developed.

This close working relationship resulted in NCB’s internal processes being aligned to the projects processes and milestones. A clause-by-clause check listing was used as a visible check against progress and to gain confirmation of assessment against legal and technical requirements.

Meetings with rail regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and the project provided formal feedback on the programme’s progress. These also provided the opportunity to develop solutions that would be acceptable to the ORR when elements of the TSI could not be fulfilled in time for authorisation, such as OHL testing results.

The team also held discussions with contractors and suppliers when required and cost savings were passed onto the client when tasks were completed early.

The good working relationship that developed between NCB and the project team resulted in further work packages being won for the programme.