Fife to Edinburgh train services disrupted after cable cut by possible metal thieves

Train services from Fife to Edinburgh have resumed normal service after signalling cables were slashed near Inverkeithing by possible thieves attempting to steal valuable metals.

British Transport Police (BTP) officers were called to the railway Lochgelly at 6.30am following reports of signal failure.

Morning commuters to the Capital from Fife faced major disruption as services were suspended.

Scotrail tickets were accepted on Stagecoach bus services into the city.

Network Rail Scotland and BTP identified two further cuts to cables in the area,

Engineers worked through the day to replace the cut cable, and services resumed around 1.30pm.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: "This issue first occurred at 0400 this morning when signalling systems in the area failed.

"Engineers were dispatched to identify the fault and discovered that it was due to damaged cable.

"The damage was significant and a section had to be cut out and replaced with new cabling.

"Our engineers are in the process of testing the new cable and signalling before reopening the section of track.

"We understand the inconvenience this has caused passengers and are working as quickly as possible to restore a full service.”

A spokesperson for BTP said: “At 6.30am today, officers were called to the railway near to Lochgelly following a report of damage to the signalling systems.

"Officers attended and are now conducting an investigation to understand exactly how much cable was damage and who was responsible.

"Anyone with information is asked to contact BTP by sending a text to 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 101 or 20/12.”

It comes after Network Rail announced earlier this year that rail delays due to cable thefts had reached a five-year high.

Police said that an increase in global copper prices had lead to more people cutting cables.