Network Rail will undertake a concentrated programme of Christmas and New Year engineering across Scotland's Railway and key cross‑border sections, with teams working around the clock from 24 December to 2 January to bolster safety, reliability and resilience.

The festive works package centres on signalling, bridge renewals, track upgrades and junction replacement, sequenced to take advantage of extended access windows while traffic is lighter.

Key schemes include:

- Portobello, Edinburgh (24–27 December): signalling upgrades to improve route reliability on the approaches east of the city.

- Bowling, West Dunbartonshire (24 December–2 January): construction and installation of a new railway bridge, delivered via a planned blockade on the local corridor.

- Motherwell–Cumbernauld (25 December–2 January): track renewal to provide a smoother, more reliable railway on this strategic commuter and freight link.

- Hanslope, West Coast Main Line (25 December–5 January): replacement of a worn junction to increase performance and asset life on cross‑border flows.

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- M6 overbridge renewal (31 December–15 January): removal and renewal of a 1960s rail bridge spanning the motorway to future‑proof a key section of the West Coast route.

- Kingmoor, north of Carlisle (1–7 January): installation of new signalling to enhance performance and resilience on the West Coast Main Line.

By scheduling this portfolio during the festive period, Network Rail can combine possessions to minimise repeated disruption and deliver complex, labour‑intensive activities in fewer, longer shifts.

Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland, said: "Christmas and New Year give us a unique opportunity to deliver major improvements while fewer people are travelling. By using this time wisely, we can carry out essential work that will make Scotland's railway safer and more reliable for years to come.

"I'm incredibly thankful to the teams who will be working through the festive period to make these upgrades happen. Their commitment behind the scenes is what keeps the railway moving. For anyone planning a journey, I'd encourage you to check your plans in advance and allow a little extra time."

Mark Ilderton, ScotRail Service Delivery Director, said:

"Whenever Network Rail carries out essential improvement work, our priority is to ensure customers can continue to travel with confidence.

"While these upgrades mean journeys will be different for some customers over the Christmas period, we'll have reliable alternative transport in place and clear, timely information to help keep people moving.

"We understand that this work will cause inconvenience for some customers, but it is crucial to maintaining and improving the reliability of the railway. We appreciate our customers' patience and understanding and encourage everyone to check their journey before travelling."

Collectively, the programme targets long‑term asset condition, capacity for future growth and operational performance across Scotland's network and its cross‑border arteries.