Over the last two years, £130 million has been invested to make Scotland’s railway more resilient against extreme weather.

Network Rail has been making progress with the huge project, with their plan published in their Climate Ready Plan in 2024.

The climate now poses a much greater risk to everyday life on Earth. With unpredictable rainfall, severe weather and higher temperatures, teams need to be able to anticipate and manage impacts on the railway.

The work so far has seen £73 million spent on earthworks and £37 million on drainage and forms part of a £400 million investment between 2024 and 2029.

Projects have included:

• Highland Mainline – Charleston – £2.85 million to improve drainage and strengthen earthworks
• West Coast Mainline – £20 million to stabilise slopes and embankments and improve drainage
• West Highland Line – Falls of Cruachan – £3 million to strengthen the hillside following a landslip

“Rail is central to Scotland’s economy and to the communities it connects every day. Our focus is on building a railway that people can continue to depend on and encourages more passengers and freight companies to choose rail with confidence.

“That means looking ahead and making the right long-term decisions now. By continuing to invest in resilience, we’re supporting sustainable growth and helping ensure the railway remains a reliable choice for the future.”

Liam Sumpter, managing director of Network Rail Scotland