RAIL passengers in Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire have been told that millions of pounds will be spent to keep them moving this autumn.

The ScotRail Alliance said the money will be used to eliminate safety risks caused by leaves on the line.

The company has announced a range of ways to keep lines clear, including ‘leaf fall teams’ and specialist trains designed to keep tracks clear.

Twitter warnings will also be issued to advise travellers of any expected delays.

With much of Scotland’s railway lined by trees, the company says falling leaves are a common cause of disruption during autumn.

A build-up of leaves results in a dangerous, slippery layer forming on the tracks, causing trains to skid and overshoot signals and platforms – potentially putting passengers and staff in danger.

The company has said that, as a result, drivers must accelerate and brake gently. This causes services to go slower than normal and can result in disruption for customers.

A spokesperson added: “Leaf debris can also interfere with the signalling systems, making it difficult to track trains on the network.”

Led by Network Rail, the autumn campaign will include a £2.6million investment to clear the tracks.

A total of 30 staff will form leaf fall teams, including one based in Glasgow.

And a fleet of seven specialist treatment trains, covering an average of 1,500 miles a day, will spray lines with a glue-like coating to help train wheels grip the tracks.

In addition, up to 7,200 staff hours will be dedicated to clearing lines.

Customers can also watch out for the colour-coded warning system on Twitter each day, advising them of any expected disruptions caused by the weather.

David Dickson, infrastructure director for the ScotRail Alliance, said: “We are working hard to build the best railway Scotland has ever had and part of that is keeping people moving during autumn, when the weather can create major safety risks.

“We know few things annoy customers more than when their train is delayed because of leaves on the line.

“People are always a bit sceptical but the reality is that leaves on the line can be dangerous and lead to disruption.

“The ScotRail Alliance is investing millions of pounds and pulling out all the stops to tackle this problem over the coming months.”

For more information, visit www.abellio.com.