COMMUTERS faced travel chaos today after thieves cut cable from a busy railway line.

Passengers between Glasgow and Edinburgh were hit by delays after thieves tried to strip copper signalling cable from the line between the two cities.

The theft is understood to have taken place overnight and was discovered at around 5am.

It is the second time in two weeks commuters travelling between the cities by train were hit by delays because of railway cable theft.

As reported by the Evening Times, around 100 metres of copper signalling cable was stolen from the line between Croy and Falkirk exactly two weeks ago.

British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed today’s theft was in the “same vicinity” as the previous incident.

However, sources said it was “too early to say” if the incidents are linked.

Network Rail engineers were sent to the scene, when the damage was discovered this morning, and carried out repairs.

Scottish Labour Justice spokesman Graeme Pearson said: “This is the second time in a month that thieves have targeted this line, selfishly stealing cable to sell as scrap metal.

"It also means that yet again thousands of commuters across the central belt were inconvenienced.

“The SNP promised three years ago they would deliver the legislation to prevent cash sales of scrap metals across Scotland." 

Work was completed by around 9am, however disruption on the line was expected to last until this afternoon.

ScotRail confirmed disruption to services had been caused by the incident between Croy and Falkirk stations and apologised to customers.

A BTP spokesman confirmed an investigation was underway into the theft and appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Services through Falkirk, Dunblane and Stirling were also delayed and cancelled, with replacement buses running on some routes.

Train bosses urged passengers to check service details before travelling.

Services to Inverness and Aberdeen also faced delays.