Weeks of disruption expected for Falkirk rail passengers following storm damage

Rail passengers look set to face “a number of weeks” of disruption after Tuesday night’s thunderstorms caused major damage to the main railway line between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

The torrential rain and lightning had caused some flooding and damage to overhead power lines, however a breach in the Union Canal near Whitecross and Muiravonside caused even more damage.

On Wednesday, water was draining from the canal, over fields and onto the railway tracks with reports of embankments being washed away and further damage to overhead power lines.

As a result, ScotRail has reported major disruption to its services with no trains able to run on the line and replacement buses having to be put in place.

Of services between Edinburgh and Glasgow Queen Street, via Falkirk High, on its website, the rail operator said: “We’re anticipating disruption to these services for a number of weeks following damage to overhead power lines and embankments being damaged by flooding.”

Services on the Edinburgh to Dunblane line are also affected by the same damage.

ScotRail said customers can travel between Glasgow Queen Street and Falkirk Grahamston by train, and a rail replacement service will be in operation between Falkirk Grahamston and Edinburgh.

A shuttle bus will take passengers from Falkirk High to Falkirk Grahamston.

Trains between Edinburgh and Dunblane are suspended.

Customers at Dunblane and Bridge of Allan should use services to Larbert where they can transfer to rail replacement coaches between Larbert and Edinburgh Park.

In a statement on its website, ScotRail said: “We are experiencing severe disruption across our network due to recent weather events and the impact of a major incident at Stonehaven due to a train derailment.

"Our advice is to avoid travel on the affected routes below over the coming days, and if you must travel by train, please check your journey and follow the Coronavirus travel advice.

"Our Network Rail colleagues are out checking the network, to make sure it’s safe to reopen lines which have been affected by flooding.

"Our Integrated Control team in Glasgow continually monitor progress, arrange rail replacement coaches and will reinstate the cancelled services when it is safe to do so.”

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