Network Rail has announced the successful completion of the last phase of a £11.2 million investment at Dunblane station, that will improve train performance and reliability on the wider route.

Engineers finished the final signalling and commissioning works at the weekend as part of an enhancement project delivered by Network Rail and contractor Rail Systems Alliance.

The main element of the works involved the installation of a new crossover that allows trains to switch tracks.

It means trains are now able to arrive and depart from platform 3 towards Edinburgh and Glasgow, without having to leave the station.

Previously, due to there being no ‘turnback’ facility at the station, trains arriving at platforms 2 and 3 had to continue north to use existing crossovers in order to turn around and return to their station of origin - a manoeuvre that took 13 minutes to complete.

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This meant the railway between Dunblane and Perth could become congested, constraining the timetable and network resilience during times of disruption.

Adrian Osmond, Network Rail project sponsor, said: "This significant investment in the railway is a game changer for trains travelling south from Dunblane station to Stirling and for the wider route north of the station.

"It will free up capacity through the route and ease congestion; it also improves capacity for freight and reduces the impact of unplanned disruption. By upgrading the signalling equipment, this too contributes to improving resilience.

"With works now complete, I would like to thank those living closest to Dunblane station and the wider community for their patience throughout delivery of the project."

With the new platform 3 alterations, passengers are being advised to add some extra time to their Stirling-bound journey from Dunblane to familiarise themselves with departures from here instead of platform 1.

Ahead of the crossover work at Dunblane station, Network Rail completed a £6.8m programme as part of the wider enhancements on the route in early 2023. This involved replacing a curved section of track at Barnhill, east of Perth station, with a new single line and remodelling the junction. It has also allowed an increase in linespeed for trains from 20mph to 50mph in this location.