Rail passengers in Fife are being urged to plan ahead this October as Network Rail undertakes significant engineering to prepare the route for electrification.

The work forms part of the Scottish Government's £311.5 million scheme to electrify 118km of the Fife Circle and introduce new battery‑electric trains, supporting the modernisation of Scotland’s railway and a shift to more sustainable transport.

Across an 18‑day period, engineers will replace bridges, upgrade track and signalling, and carry out other works to clear the way for new overhead power lines.

During the closures, bridges at Bennochy Road in Kirkcaldy, Muriespot bridge near Coaltown of Balgonie, and Main Street in Thornton will be demolished and reconstructed. Teams will also upgrade the bridge on Cardenden Road in Cardenden, carry out track alterations, install foundations and structures for electrification equipment, and undertake extensive signalling upgrades.

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Three planned closures will enable the most complex tasks to be completed safely and efficiently:

- Inverkeithing and Thornton North: 10 to 20 October

- Thornton North, Cupar and Hilton Junction: 20 to 24 October

- Lochgelly and Glenrothes: 24 to 28 October

Customers are advised to check their specific journeys with their train operator before travelling. Details of alternative transport will be provided closer to the time.

Michael McArthur, project manager at Network Rail Scotland, said: "This project paves the way for the introduction of battery-electric trains on one of Scotland's busiest rail routes. It will help increase capacity, improve reliability and deliver more accessible, comfortable and sustainable journeys for passengers.

"We know there's never an ideal time to close any part of the railway, and our teams have planned the work carefully to keep the impact to a minimum. We appreciate the patience of passengers and local residents while these improvements take place."