Rail commuters are facing travel chaos after thieves stole signalling cables between Croy and Falkirk High.
Thieves stripped the copper wire from the signalling cables. The theft is understood to have taken place overnight and was discovered at around 5am.
It is the second time in two weeks commuters travelling between the cities by train were hit by delays because of railway cable theft. Around 100 metres of copper signalling cable was stolen from the line between Croy and Falkirk exactly two weeks ago.
British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed today’s theft was in the “same vicinity” as the previous incident. However, sources said it was “too early to say” if the incidents are linked.
The theft is causing severe delays for Glasgow services to Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Falkirk Grahamston, Cumbernauld, Inverness, Dunblane, Stirling, Alloa, Milngavie, Dalmuir, Balloch and Helensburgh, with a total of 36 services affected.
NEW: Trains btwn Glasgow Queen St & Edinburgh via #Falkirk aren't able to call at Falkirk High (this only affects trains TO Edinburgh)...1/2
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) October 7, 2015
Scotrail says the disruption is expected to last until 1pm.
UPDATE: #Falkirk. Engineers are on site working to fix. We’re expecting disruption until around 1300 today. ^CT
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) October 7, 2015
Trains are currently running every thirty minutes between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh.
...These trains will all call at Bishopbriggs, Lenzie, Croy, Falkirk High, Polmont, Linlithgow and Haymarket in both directions. 2/2 ^CT
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) October 7, 2015
Network Rail has confirmed that engineers are on site trying to fix the problem.
#Greenhill sorry for disruption in the area thus morning. This is due to cable theft/vandalism. Our engineers are on site and will fix ASAP
— Network Rail Scot (@NetworkRailSCOT) October 7, 2015
A statement on the ScotRail website said: "We apologise for the delay to your journey today. To make a claim under our Delay Repay Guarantee, visit scotrail.co.uk/delay-repay."
Police Scotland tweeted this morning to confirm the theft and advised commuters to check with ScotRail for further details on services.
Theft of signal cable affecting train services from @NetworkRailGQS - please check @ScotRail for details: http://t.co/ul8QB4ZEnK
— GlasgowCityPolice (@GlasgowCPolice) October 7, 2015
Scottish Labour Justice spokesman Graeme Pearson said: “This is the second time in a month that thieves have targeted this line, selfishly stealing cable to sell as scrap metal.
"It also means that yet again thousands of commuters across the central belt were inconvenienced.
“The SNP promised three years ago they would deliver the legislation to prevent cash sales of scrap metals across Scotland."
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