Scotland's railway is set to receive a huge investment in an attempt to decarbonise the country's rail network.
A sum of £55 million will be invested as part of a railway decarbonisation, with construction work commencing this month. The first phase to electrify the Fife route has been approved to move to the construction phase.
Construction is planned to finish by December 2024 and will form part of a rolling programme that is expected to see the electrification extend from Dundee to Aberdeen.
Developed by Transport Scotland and Network Rail, construction will commence with the electrification of the section between Haymarket and Dalmeny.
The project to decarbonise the Borders line has also progressed, with approval given to move to the next design phase of the scheme to deliver partial electrification of the route using multiple electric units.
Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth said: "It is great news that the first phase of the Fife electrification project is expected to start this month as this will make a significant difference to passenger and freight services in the future.
“Delivery of the Fife Decarbonisation project will support the introduction of new rolling stock through partial electrification of the route.
“It will also help towards the delivery of our Rail Decarbonisation Action Plan which will see the removal of all diesel on passenger services by 2035.
“The development work also being progressed on Borders electrification and on procuring new rolling stock shows we are fully focussed on rail decarbonisation. Our commitment is securing jobs in the rail design and delivery sector, as well as providing a stream of work for the supply chain.”
Managing director of Scotland’s railway Alex Hynes said: “The government has set an ambitious target to decarbonise our railway and projects such as the electrification of the Fife Circle – starting with the line connecting Fife to Edinburgh, will be key to delivering on that commitment.
Approval has also been given to hold a procurement competition in search of a preferred manufacturer and financier for new suburban trains to operate East Kilbride, Fife and Borders routes.
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