Rail passengers have been facing disruption after services were cancelled due to a major fault with the communications system.
Network Rail reported a fault with the GSM-R system which allows drivers and signallers to communicate with each other on Monday morning.
ScotRail said that services were “severely affected” as it was unable to run any services on the Argyle or North Clyde routes.
Routes affected included Helensburgh Central to Edinburgh, Balloch to Airdrie and Milngavie to Motherwell.
Network Rail said that fibre cable failure has been identified as the cause of the fault and that specialist teams have been called in to make the necessary repairs.
⚠️ NEW: Due to a major fault with the communication system between drivers and signallers, services have been severely affected on the following routes:
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) February 7, 2022
Helensburgh Central – Edinburgh
Balloch – Airdrie
Dalmuir – Larkhall
Milngavie – Motherwell
Milngavie – Edinburgh via Airdrie pic.twitter.com/RVaF7cfhyZ
The company tweeted: “There is currently a major fault with the GSM-R system which allows drivers and signallers to communicate with each other.
“This means train services can’t currently run on the North Clyde and Argyle lines until the problem is fixed.”
It later added: “Engineers have found the source of the fault and are now working on a repair.
“We’re unable to provide a timescale for the fibre optic cable repair at this time, but will keep you updated.
“We’re sorry for the disruption this fault has caused passengers today.”
We're sorry to our customers that are being affected by a fault with the driver - signaller communications system this morning. Engineers are working hard to resolve the technical fault.
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) February 7, 2022
Check our app or visit https://t.co/J1m2DnhAEG for the latest up to date information. https://t.co/PdMGJvpiIs
Among the affected routes are:
- Helensburgh Central – Edinburgh
- Balloch – Airdrie
- Dalmuir – Larkhall
- Milngavie – Motherwell
- Milngavie – Edinburgh via Airdrie
- Motherwell – Dalmuir
- Dalmuir – Whifflet
- Larkhall – Milngavie
The firm has announced some replacement buses for customers and alternative train routes are in place:
- Glasgow Central to Lanark
- Glasgow Central to Newton via Kings Park
- Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk High
- Glasgow to Edinburgh via Shotts
- Glasgow to Edinburgh via Falkirk Grahamston
Customers are advised to check if their journey is being affected before heading to the station.
Network Rail said engineers have identified the source of the fault, but it is a “complex repair” which is expected to take until this afternoon to complete.
A Network Rail spokesman said: “Our engineers are working hard to rectify a fault with the radio system that allows train drivers and signallers to communicate with each other.”
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