Ahead of the festive period, passengers across Scotland are being advised to plan ahead while engineering work is taking place.

As passenger numbers are lower around Christmas and New Year’s, they have chosen to carry out the work to cause the least disruption possible.

Some routes will see service alterations and replacement buses in place to allow the work to be carried out.

The work will include a new railway bridge at Bowling, which means no services between Dalmuir and Balloch/Helensburgh Central, or between Glasgow Queen Street and Crianlarich, between 24th December and 2nd January.

The Motherwell area will see a track upgrade take place, meaning no services between Motherwell and Cumbernauld via Whifflet, Bellshill and Motherwell, or between Kirkwood and Whifflet, which again will take place between the 24th December and 2nd January.

Glasgow to London Euston services will be affected by a bridge replacement over the M6 between the 31st December and 15th January, resulting in no trains between Preston and Carlisle.

A junction at Hanslope will also be replaced, affecting trains between Milton Keynes and Rugby from Christmas Day until the 5th January.

The work will make the railway more reliable in the future.

“We know Christmas is a special and busy time for many people, and we want to help everyone travel with confidence over the festive period. If you’re planning a journey, please check your travel plans in advance and allow a little extra time. 

“These upgrades are essential to keep the railway safe and reliable for the future, and I want to say thank you to everyone who will be working through Christmas and new year to make these improvements happen. Their dedication behind the scenes is what keeps the railway moving.”  

Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland