Rail travellers faced misery on Wednesday as train services were cancelled due to a second case of vandalism on the lines in a little over a week.
Cables were cut near North Queensferry, just nine days after a similar
incident in the same area which also led to chaos for commuters.
Engineers worked to repair the damage as British Transport Police investigated the incident.
ScotRail announced at around 3pm that services running through the Edinburgh to Inverkeithing area would be delayed or revised.
Several services on the Fife Circle line and between Edinburgh and Dundee and Aberdeen were called off as a reduced number operated.
Services to Perth were also revised and rail replacement buses were called in. Disruption continued until the end of the day.
We're currently investigating this damage caused to cable near North Queensferry this afternoon.
Check @ScotRail for disruption updates. pic.twitter.com/9c2TYfEawY
— BTP Scotland (@BTPScotland) October 4, 2017
It’s been confirmed #Inverkeithing disruption is due to cable vandalism. @BTP are investigating. Our team on ground working hard to fix. ^CT pic.twitter.com/ulF1M5DBA8
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) October 4, 2017
UPDATE: You can use ScotRail tickets on Stagecoach East between #Inverkeithing and Dundee (Including Fife Circle) Info @TravelineScot ^CT
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) October 4, 2017
It was initially believed a signalling fault was to blame but ScotRail revealed at 4.30pm that cables had been cut.
The company Tweeted: “It’s been confirmed #Inverkeithing disruption is due to cable vandalism. @BRP are investigating. Our team on ground working hard to fix.”
A spokesperson for British Transport Police said: “We have a reported cable vandalism or theft near North Queensferry.
“We were alerted around 3pm and are currently making assessment as to how much cable has been vandalised or stolen. There is some disruption on the line as repairs are made.
“We would also like to hear from anyone who may have seen any suspicious persons or vehicles around the area at that time.”
UPDATE: The following services confirmed as running from Edinburgh Waverley, 1628 to Aberdeen, 1639 to Glenrothes, 1700 to Dundee 1/2
— ScotRail (@ScotRail) October 4, 2017
Customers were advised by ScotRail to seek alternative means of transport until repairs were made.
In the region of 50ft of valuable signalling cable was taken from the line between North Queensferry and Inverkeithing on September 25.
The theft caused widespread disruption, with more than 30 trains cancelled as a result of signalling failure.
Anyone with information about Wednesday’s incident can call British Transport Police on 0800 405040 or text 61016.
