Edinburgh rail passengers face major disruption on 'challenging festive weekend'

Edinburgh train passengers are facing major disruption as services have been 'significantly reduced'.

As Christmas looms, rail services are expected to be busy over the weekend and disruption to Edinburgh services could be a blow to Christmas shoppers.

ScotRail said there will be 'significant disruption' on Sunday, December 15 due to a shortage of train drivers.

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According to ScotRail, a number of services to Glasgow have been cancelled from Edinburgh Waverley. A number of service to Tweedbank and Dunblane and Alloa and the Fife Circle have been scrapped with bus replacements in place.

Network Rail said ScotRail would be running a "significantly reduced" service on Sunday due to the "unavailability of drivers on Sunday," adding that "there are a high number of cancellations to services."

On Saturday evening (December 14), ScotRail took to social media to warn passengers of the disruption. In the statement, the publically-owned firm said: "Unfortunately, due to the availability of drivers on Sunday, there are a number of cancellations to services.

"This is a particularly challenging weekend, and with the Christmas period fast approaching, more drivers than normal are unavailable for rest day working. Where possible replacement buses for some of the cancelled services are being arranged, and there will be ticket acceptance in place where possible.

"Please check your journey on our app before you head out for the latest service information. We're currently recruiting 160 drivers each year, the most of any UK operator, which will help to reduce the type of challenges we're currently facing."