ALLOA will be without any rail services for four weeks as part of ongoing electrification works in central Scotland.

All trains from the Wee County to Stirling will be replaced by buses as of Sunday, March 17.

The arrangements will be in place throughout the Easter break and school holidays, with normal service to be restored by Sunday, April 15.

As a result, journey times from Alloa to Glasgow Queen Street will take an additional 20 minutes, with passengers getting a bus to Stirling and catching a connecting train.

Replacement buses for late evening services have been in operation between Alloa and Stirling for the last few months, as improvement works continue.

Network Rail has been tasked with delivering the improvements on the line from Alloa to Glasgow, among other areas, since November 2016.

It is part of the Scottish Government’s programme of rail electrification and overhead power lines will be installed along the length of the six-and-a-half-mile route, which will pave the way for the introduction of electric trains.

When completed, the upgrades will deliver more seats, faster journeys and better services, according to officials.

Meanwhile, the ScotRail Alliance has pledged to "keep people moving" during the upcoming improvements works.

David Dickson, the ScotRail Alliance’s infrastructure director, said: "We are building the best railway that Scotland has ever had, and that really does apply to all of Scotland.

"The investment we are making to electrify the line between Stirling, Dunblane and Alloa will bring major benefits to customers. We will deliver faster journeys, more seats and better services.

"We understand how frustrating it is for customers when their regular journey is disrupted and we will be doing all we can to keep people moving.

"We are encouraging customers to leave extra time for travel, and plan journeys in advance. All train and bus times are available at scotrail.co.uk, as well as on our app."

Engineers will be working day and night to install overhead power lines, and associated equipment, for use by electric trains.

Steel masts will be erected to carry the overhead cables, which will then be attached, and the equipment aligned.

ScotRail Alliance said both rail customers and those living near the railway line will benefit when the project is complete.

Many services will be operated by electric class 385 trains, which will offer a better experience and reduce some journey times from Stirling to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Benefits are set to include more seats on services between Alloa, Dunblane, Bridge of Allan, Stirling and Edinburgh; and less noise and better air quality for those who live and work near the railway.

Full details on changes to train services can be found at scotrail.co.uk/alloaworks