This follows two significant developments, including approval of a Full Business Case for the project by South Lanarkshire Council’s Executive Committee on Wednesday. This opens the way for funding to be released for the project from the Glasgow City Region City Deal.

In addition, planning permission for the project being granted last week by the council’s Planning Committee, with building work expected to be completed in Summer 2025.

The new park and ride and bus interchange will serve commuters using the new railway station which is being built 650 metres to the west of the current Hairmyres stop.

Council leader Joe Fagan said: “East Kilbride is increasingly popular as a place to live and work, and the new station, park and ride and bus interchange will bring considerable improvements to the town.

“Providing more than 500 parking spaces will take pressure off the station in the Village and at the existing Hairmyres station, where parking has always been challenging.

“There is an obvious environmental benefit in the fact the project will encourage more people to use the train, but the site will also provide charging places for electric cars as well as safe pedestrian access points, a cycle route and parking, and a new bus loop.”

The cost of the park and ride and bus interchange project is estimated at around £7.2 million, with funding from the council, Strathclyde Passenger Transport, Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government in addition to the city deal.