Network Rail engineers in Scotland have compressed a three-year vegetation inspection cycle into just two months by using Digitised Lineside Inspection (DLI).

The digital approach is changing how Scotland's railway is surveyed, making checks safer, quicker and more efficient.

Edinburgh-based teams have rolled out the technology across their area, including parts of the East Coast Main Line, the key route linking Edinburgh and London King's Cross.

DLI draws on footage recorded from trains to give engineers a detailed view of lineside vegetation, helping them spot potential issues and plan remedial work from the safety of the depot.

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This reduces the amount of time staff need to spend walking on the railway — which requires special access — cutting unnecessary trips trackside and lowering exposure to the risks of working on live infrastructure.

With autumn under way, DLI is also supporting closer monitoring at a time when falling leaves can disrupt services. By identifying problems earlier, teams can target work more precisely and help keep trains running reliably for passengers.

The approach has delivered around £55,000 in direct savings in Edinburgh.

Tracy Penmen, track maintenance engineer at Network Rail Scotland, said: "This is a brilliant example of how technology is helping us look after the railway more safely and efficiently.

"Completing what would previously have been a three-year inspection cycle in just two months is a fantastic achievement and means our engineers can get a clear picture of where work is needed much more quickly.

"It also means less time spent out on the railway carrying out inspections and more time focused on the places that need our attention.

"The Edinburgh teams have really embraced this new way of working and should be incredibly proud of what they've achieved."