Warning over railway disruption

Work is being carried out on signals and tracks across much of the country

Rail travellers have been warned to expect disruption on some routes as signalling works and track improvements get under way.

All high level services to and from Glasgow Central have been cancelled until Tuesday 30 December.

Some trains between Perth, Inverness and Aberdeen will also be affected over the next week.

And services between Dundee and Aberdeen will be out of action on 3 and 4 January.

First Scotrail said that track improvement works between Ardrossan and Kilwinning would hit services on the Largs line on 2 and 3 January.

Steve Montgomery, the rail firm's operations and safety director, said bus services would replace the cancelled trains on all of the affected routes.

Journeys will take longer than normal and passengers should allow more time from travel Steve Montgomery First Scotrail

He added: "We have done everything possible to keep inconvenience to an absolute minimum by running as many services as possible.

"Full plans are in place to provide alternative transport arrangements where required.

"Journeys will take longer than normal and passengers should allow more time from travel."

The suspension of Glasgow Central high level services is to allow signalling operations to be transferred to a new £200m west of Scotland signalling centre at Cowlairs.

Glasgow Central low level station will be open with a reduced service between 27 and 29 December.

Replacement coaches will also be made available for Virgin Trains passengers, connecting with trains to and from England at Carlisle or Motherwell.