Call to suspend trains amid roadworks chaos
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RAIL services should be suspended to help tackle traffic disruption while major roadworks take place at Stromeferry, a local MSP believes.
Contractors are carrying out work to shore up the cliff face above the A890 in a bid to tackle the area’s notorious landslip problems. This is expected to last well into November and features a long-running series of disruptive road closures.
Kate Forbes has now argued that trains between Kyle and Strathcarron stations should be halted in favour of bus replacement services – enabling a temporary road-rail diversion around the affected section to run continuously.
At the moment the diversion, which momentarily guides drivers onto the rail tracks and back again, can only operate during gaps in rail services – causing serious disruption to drivers who miss those windows. At peak times the queues waiting for a window can stretch back 100 cars in each direction.
The Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP said that temporarily replacing trains with alternative bus services would ease disruption for many commuters and school children.
She said: "It’s been well documented that the current convoy system is having a hugely detrimental impact on pupils attending Plockton High School as well as local businesses. Due to the extent of the unpredictability and length of the delays, I am told that some parents are considering keeping their children off school entirely.
"The situation is far from ideal. I believe a better solution is that ScotRail and Network Rail should terminate all trains at Strathcarron and for a bus replacement service to operate and call at all stations between Strathcarron and Kyle.
"This would allow the road to rail section to be open whilst works continue on the rock face."
She added: "Because the peak tourist season has now passed, locally I am told that the train – which only operates four services each way from Monday to Saturday, and two each way on a Sunday – is not particularly busy after Strathcarron, and is easily overshadowed by the number of people sitting in these tailbacks."
The MSP’s call comes as Highland Council revealed that work is "progressing well" and is on course for completion around November 23.
A series of questions and answers about the works have been published online following recent public meetings. They are available at www.highland.gov.uk
Cllr Allan Henderson, the chairman of the council’s environment, development and infrastructure committee, said: "We have worked closely with Network Rail and our contractor to keep disruption to road users to a minimum when the road/rail diversion is in place but inevitably there will be times when road users will face longer waits so we urge people to plan their travel carefully."
