A major nine-day engineering project is scheduled to commence this weekend to prepare the railway in Fife and its connecting routes for future electrification.

The line between Haymarket and Dalmeny will be closed from the end of service on Friday 16 January until the start of service on Monday 26 January to allow for intensive infrastructure upgrades.

The works involve the reconstruction of several bridges and the lowering of specific track sections to create the necessary clearance for overhead power lines. These upgrades are a vital component of a £342 million investment by the Scottish Government aimed at electrifying the Fife and Borders lines. The project will eventually enable the deployment of a new fleet of battery-electric trains, moving the network away from diesel power.

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This transition is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions and noise pollution while providing a cleaner and more reliable service for passengers.

Catherine Hall, strategy and investment director at Network Rail Scotland, commented: "Over nine days, our teams will carry out complex engineering work at multiple sites to get the route ready for future electrification. Bridge reconstructions, track alterations and systems changes have all been carefully planned to make sure the line can support the next generation of trains.

"A modern railway connects people to jobs, education and essential services, and underpins local economies. Investing now ensures the network can meet future demand and makes sustainable travel a practical choice for more journeys.

"We know the route to and from Fife is one of the busiest in Scotland and there's never an ideal time to close it. We really appreciate the patience of passengers and local residents while these major improvements take place."

The project represents a major milestone in the Scottish Government's wider strategy to decarbonise the rail network and achieve net-zero targets.