Network Rail and Transport Minister Derek Mackay have announced that one of Scotland’s iconic rail routes will benefit from a £16m signalling enhancement.

A contract has been awarded to Siemens to upgrade signalling on the route between Edinburgh and Fife, over the Forth Bridge.

The works, part of the Edinburgh-Glasgow Improvement Programme, will improve reliability on the route and create additional capacity on the lines serving key commuter routes into Fife and beyond.

Mr Mackay said: “Scotland’s railways are in the midst of a renewed golden age and these signalling upgrades will see sympathetic improvements to one of our most world-famous landmarks, which draws tourists from around the world as well as carrying daily commuters.

“The Scottish Government is currently investing £5billion in ensuring our railways and train services continue on this path of increased patronage, as this will support growth in our economy, as well as modal shift from roads use to increase our carbon efficiency.”

David Dickson, Network Rail route managing director for Scotland, added: “Rail travel is more popular now that ever before and we need to continually invest in our infrastructure to meet the needs of today’s businesses and commuters.

“The investment announced today will help to ensure we can continue to improve reliability on the network and also look to increase services on our railway in the future as we strive to meet the ever-rising demand for rail travel.”

The contract will see the existing 3-aspect signalling on the Fife lines between Haymarket and Dalmeny replaced by continuous 4-aspect signalling – decreasing signalling headways and increasing train speeds on this section of the route.

On the Forth Bridge, six new signals are to be installed while the project will also involve a range of associated works to interlockings, power systems and telecoms along the line between Haymarket and the bridge.

Work on the project has now started and will be completed by summer of this year. Once complete, the project will improve reliability; create more options for how trains use the network and the potential for new services to be introduced in the future.

EGIP is a Scottish Government-funded investment worth £742m which is delivering a rolling programme of electrification across the central belt – reducing journey times and boosting capacity on routes including the Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street (via Falkirk High) line.