The project will help to prevent stones potentially falling from a 10m-high rockface above the line – improving safety for passengers.

Engineers will be working around the clock to install specialist netting and rock anchors on the 100m-long rock cutting to the east of the old Ratho station.

The work is being undertaken now as the sub-zero temperatures common in Scotland in winter could cause the condition of the cutting to deteriorate.

The project is vital to the safe and reliable running of the railway and cannot be delivered without a short-term closure of the line as overhead powerlines will need to be switched off while engineers carry out the work.

Liam Sumpter, Network Rail Scotland route director, said: “The work we are delivering is vital to the safe running of the railway and cannot be completed without a short closure of the line.

“We understand the inconvenience this project will cause to our customers and have put plans in place that deliver these improvements as quickly as possible. We thank passengers for their patience while we complete this safety-critical work.”