Three Fife Circle rail closures scheduled for October
13.07.2026
Fife Circle electrification will require three planned rail closures in Fife while Network Rail carries out an 18-day engineering programme in October.
The programme forms part of the Scottish Government’s £311.5m investment in electrifying 118km of the Fife Circle route. It also supports plans to introduce new battery-electric trains as part of the wider modernisation of Scotland’s railway and its transition towards more sustainable transport.
Work planned for Fife Circle electrification
Engineers will replace and upgrade bridges, modify track, improve signalling and prepare infrastructure for new overhead power lines. The closures will allow teams to complete some of the project’s most complex work safely and efficiently.
Three bridges will be demolished and reconstructed: Bennochy Road in Kirkcaldy, Muriespot bridge near Coaltown of Balgonie and Main Street in Thornton. The programme also covers upgrades to the Cardenden Road bridge in Cardenden, track changes, extensive signalling improvements and the installation of foundations and structures for electrification equipment.
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October rail closure schedule
The three closures are scheduled as follows:
- Inverkeithing and Thornton North: 10 to 20 October
- Thornton North, Cupar and Hilton Junction: 20 to 24 October
- Lochgelly and Glenrothes: 24 to 28 October
Passengers are being asked to check their specific journeys with their train operator before travelling. More information about alternative transport will become available closer to the time.
The full business case for the Fife electrification programme was approved in June 2025. The Scottish Government’s August 2025 progress report puts the cost at £311.5m, excluding the Thornton feeder station, and sets electrification delivery for 2029, with timing aligned to ScotRail’s suburban fleet procurement and train deliveries.
The £29.4m Thornton feeder station is planned to become available in December 2026, ahead of Fife Circle electrification. The infrastructure is intended to allow diesel trains currently serving the Fife Circle routes to be replaced by battery-electric rolling stock.
Passenger arrangements and project aims
Michael McArthur, project manager at Network Rail Scotland, said:
“This project paves the way for the introduction of battery-electric trains on one of Scotland’s busiest rail routes. It will help increase capacity, improve reliability and deliver more accessible, comfortable and sustainable journeys for passengers.”
“We know there’s never an ideal time to close any part of the railway, and our teams have planned the work carefully to keep the impact to a minimum. We appreciate the patience of passengers and local residents while these improvements take place.”
Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director, said:
“This work is an important step forward in delivering a more modern, sustainable, and reliable railway for Scotland.”
“We’re working closely with Network Rail to help keep customers moving when the improvements are delivered, and we’ll have a rail replacement transport plan in place to ensure customers can continue to travel with confidence.”
“Customers are asked to plan ahead and check their journey before they travel, and we thank our customers for their patience and understanding while the project is delivered.”
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