Rail faults bring disruption nightmare for passengers

● More than 100 trains cancelled across Central Belt

Thousands of Scotrail passengers suffered disruption after more than 100 trains were cancelled because of four faults across the Central Belt.

The delays and cancellations affecting 20 lines were expected to continue until midnight last night, the Scotrail Alliance with Network Rail warned travellers.

At least another 80 services were disrupted.

Routes hit included the main link between Edinburgh and Glasgow, where trains were cut to a half-hourly frequency.

However, the widespread impact stretched as far as Aberdeen and Inverness, and to Dumbarton and Lanark.

It was caused by three separate signalling faults and a burst water main.

The first fault, to an axle counter in the Queen Street tunnel in Glasgow early yesterday, affected most trains using the main station.

It coincided with the burst main, which caused water to leak into a tunnel onto overhead electric wires at Kirkhill in South Lanarkshire.

The problems were followed by telecommunication faults with signalling around 1pm at Greenhill junction, near Croy in North Lanarkshire, and Newton in South Lanarkshire.

The telecoms faults were still being fixed last night and it is not known if they are connected.

The alliance said all routes into Queen Street were disrupted apart from Anniesland and Oban/mallaig.

Others affected were Glasgow-edinburgh via Shotts, Dalmuir to Motherwell via Whifflet, Milngavie to Motherwell/cumbernauld via Blantyre, Glasgow Central to Lanark and Glasgow Central to Newton via Kings Park.

Scottish Labour transport spokesman Colin Smyth said: “These disruptions and delays are yet another kick in the teeth for Scotland’s hardpressed rail passengers.

“This is the last thing they need at a time they are suffering from missed stops, overcrowded trains and fares that are rising above their wages.”

The alliance said: “Due to two separate signal faults, a number of services were subject to disruption.

“We know how frustrating this is for our customers and are doing everything we can to get things back to normal.

“Customers delayed by 30 minutes or more are entitled to compensation under our Delay Repay scheme.

“Customers can claim this by keeping hold of their tickets and visiting our website.”