Heading out on Sunday? Better check your train plans twice. ScotRail has announced significant service disruptions on the busy Glasgow Central–West Calder line — and the knock-on effects could frustrate weekend travellers across Cambuslang, Bellshill and beyond.
What’s Actually Happening on Sunday?
This Sunday, July 13, the usual train services from Glasgow Central to West Calder will come to a full stop. The reason? Planned engineering works between Holytown and West Calder. To keep passengers moving, ScotRail will roll out all-day replacement buses.
These buses won’t just cover the direct route — they’ll wind through multiple towns to pick up stranded rail passengers:
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Cambuslang
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Uddingston
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Bellshill
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Holytown
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Cargin
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Cleland
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Hartwood
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Shotts
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Fauldhouse
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Addiewell
So if you’re used to the direct train zip, brace yourself. Bus journeys will be longer and less predictable. It’s not ideal — but it’s the only way to keep people moving while the tracks get much-needed TLC.
Expect Longer Journeys — And Some Grumbles
One sentence: Swapping rail for road means more waiting.
Unlike the smooth train ride, these buses will crawl through local roads, deal with weekend traffic and navigate alternative routes. Regular commuters already know — a 25-minute train hop can easily double on the bus, especially with added stops.
For families planning day trips, expect grumpy kids and some timetable chaos. For workers, the advice is blunt: Plan ahead.
How to Avoid a Total Travel Headache
ScotRail says the smart move is to plan in advance and check for updates. No one wants to be left waiting at a station only to learn they should be on a bus down the street.
Simple tips:
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Check ScotRail’s live travel updates before you set off.
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Arrive early — buses might leave sooner or later than planned.
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Expect different stops. Your usual train station might not line up with the bus route.
One lone line: Better a short wait now than a long panic later.
For Regular Passengers, It’s a Pain
Many commuters rely on this line for work, appointments or weekend plans. For those with tight schedules, the switch to buses could mean missed connections or late arrivals.
ScotRail has urged everyone — especially those who rely on precise timing — to keep an eye on the travel alerts. The last thing you want is to be caught out by a changed bus stop or unexpected delay.
A short note: Some regulars call this ‘the Sunday nightmare’ — but at least there’s a plan in place.
Why Bother With All This Disruption?
It’s easy to curse the orange-vested engineers, but the works are crucial. Scotland’s rail infrastructure doesn’t fix itself. These planned maintenance sessions keep the tracks safe, the signals working and bigger breakdowns at bay.
A rail expert put it simply: “Better a day of bus replacements than weeks of surprise closures.”
No one loves a slower, less direct route — but keeping the lines in good shape means fewer surprises down the road.
