The Forth Rail Bridge will close for a week in July

Network Rail has announced plans to stop passenger and freight trains over the bridge between Edinburgh and Inverkeithing in Fife in July.

Buses will be laid on between Monday, 23 July and Sunday, 29 July, when the work is due to end.

Network Rail said it chose the Fife trades holiday to minimise disruption.

The work at Inverkeithing junction is part of a �4m investment in Fife's rail infrastructure, which will include a complete renewal of a major set of points, aimed at improving reliability.

David Simpson, Network Rail route director said: "This investment at Inverkeithing junction is essential to accommodate the predicted growth in demand for rail transport in Fife.

'Major exercise'

"Network Rail is ambitious to grow the railway in Scotland and this work will enhance performance for both passenger and freight trains.

"There is a huge amount of work involved in this upgrade and it will mean disruption to train services but we have done everything possible to reduce the inconvenience to passengers."

Steve Montgomery, First ScotRail's operations and safety director, said: "These works will involve a high number of replacement buses, and it will be a major exercise to manage passengers to and from these services.

"We are confident that the planning of travel alterations will keep inconvenience to a minimum.

"Clearly, some journeys will take longer than normal and passengers should allow more time for travel."