TRAIN passengers using routes across Lanarkshire have been advised to expect delays due to upgrade works.

Network Rail will be carrying out the latest phase in their £114m upgrade to signalling systems between August 24 and 29.

Work will see major renewals across North Lanarkshire, including Motherwell, Holytown and Wishaw.

Carluke, Lanark and West Coast Mainline will also be affected.

The Motherwell North Signalling Renewal project is replacing track side equipment and transferring control of systems from Motherwell Signalling Centre to the West of Scotland Signalling Centre in Glasgow.

The first phase of work - covering the Newton, Hamilton and Uddingston area - was complete at Easter 2017, while Easter 2018 saw new signalling systems activated in Mossend, Coatbridge and Whifflet.

Stephen Muirhead, route asset manager for signalling in Scotland, said: “Improved signalling technology means more reliable journeys with fewer delays and increased capacity so more trains can run and more people are able to travel on the railway across Scotland.

“In August, we’ll carry out the complex commissioning work needed to ‘re-control’ the signals, to move control from the 1970’s signalling centre at Motherwell to our state-of-the-art centre in Glasgow – which is a massive undertaking.

“While we appreciate the work in August will cause considerable disruption to services, the activities have been planned so that the best possible use can be made of diversionary routes. However, due to the complexity of the work this type of project can’t be delivered without some short-term disruption to services.

“We are working closely with the various train operators to make sure that passengers are able to get to where they need to be during this period but its really important that people plan journeys in advance during these dates to ensure they get the right information.”