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Tuesday 15 May 2007

RAIL INVESTMENT POINTS TO IMPROVED SERVICES FOR FIFE PASSENGERS

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

A major upgrade of Inverkeithing junction is set to improve train service reliability for rail commuters in Fife and beyond. The track work, part of a GBP 4million investment in Fife's rail infrastructure, will include a complete renewal of a major set of points and improvements to track geometry. Network Rail will also carry out work in the North Queensferry tunnel to improve drainage, under the company's £18 million scheme to help the railway in Scotland to better withstand extreme weather conditions. The activity will require a seven-day suspension of passenger services through Inverkeithing station and across the Forth Bridge between Monday 23 July and Sunday 29 July, with normal services resuming on Monday 30 July. Fife Circle services will continue to operate to a revised timetable but with journeys to and from Edinburgh replaced in part by bus services. David Simpson, Network Rail route director commented: "This investment at Inverkeithing junction is essential to accommodate the predicted growth in demand for rail transport in Fife. Network Rail is ambitious to grow the railway in Scotland and this work will enhance performance for both passenger and freight trains. "There is a huge amount of work involved in this upgrade and it will mean disruption to train services but we have done everything possible to reduce the inconvenience to passengers. We have worked closely with First ScotRail, GNER and Virgin Trains for a year to plan the work and arrange replacement bus services between Fife and Edinburgh. "Because our priority is to keep disruption to an absolute minimum, the works have been timed to coincide with the Fife trade holidays and the two week-long summer shutdown of Longannet Power Station, when demand for passenger and freight services on the line is dramatically reduced." Steve Montgomery, First ScotRail's Operations and Safety Director, said: "These works will involve a high number of replacement buses, and it will be a major exercise to manage passengers to and from these services. "We are confident that the planning of travel alterations will keep inconvenience to a minimum. Clearly, some journeys will take longer than normal and passengers should allow more time for travel." The engineering work will mean that all services between Inverkeithing and Edinburgh will be replaced by buses for all or part of the route. A full timetable of revised train and replacement bus services will be announced in June. GNER and Virgin Cross-country services between Edinburgh and Aberdeen will also be affected as a result of the engineering work at Inverkeithing. First ScotRail services to and from Aberdeen, Dundee and Perth will be diverted via Stirling. Some services between Edinburgh and Perth (which continue to Inverness) will be diverted via Stirling or replaced by buses. The following alterations will apply to First ScotRail services in both directions. Monday 23 July – Sunday 29 July Edinburgh – Dundee - Aberdeen Services will be retimed and diverted via Stirling and Perth. Edinburgh – Perth - Inverness Services will be retimed and diverted via Stirling or buses / connecting trains will operate between Edinburgh and Perth. A replacement bus service will operate between Inverkeithing and Perth to connect with Inverness services. Monday 23 July – Friday 27 July Edinburgh - Fife Circle / Perth / Dundee All services will be withdrawn and replaced by a completely revised timetable serving stations between Edinburgh and Fife including Markinch to Dundee. A replacement bus service will operate between Dalgety Bay and Dalmeny to connect with onward train services. During peak times a direct bus service will also run between Dalgety Bay, Inverkeithing and Haymarket / Edinburgh. A shuttle bus service will also operate between Inverkeithing and North Queensferry. Saturday 28 July and Sunday 29 July Edinburgh - Fife Circle / Perth / Dundee All services are withdrawn and replaced by a completely revised timetable serving stations between Edinburgh and Fife including Markinch to Dundee. A replacement bus service will operate between Dalgety Bay and Edinburgh to connect with onward train services, calling at Inverkeithing, Dalmeny, South Gyle and Haymarket. Express buses will also be provided calling only at Inverkeithing and Haymarket. A shuttle bus service will also operate between Inverkeithing and North Queensferry. The following alterations will apply to GNER services in both directions:Monday 23 July - Sunday 29 July GNER services to/from Aberdeen will terminate at Edinburgh as a result of the engineering work at Inverkeithing. Alternative services between Edinburgh and Aberdeen will be provided by First Scotrail and will run via a diversionary route. Monday 23 July - Sunday 29 July GNER services to/from Aberdeen will terminate at Edinburgh as a result of the engineering work at Inverkeithing. Alternative services between Edinburgh and Aberdeen will be provided by First Scotrail and will run via a diversionary route.