Heritage funds for city rail station
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HISTORIC features at Inverness rail station will be preserved following a major revamp starting next year, thanks to a national heritage organisation.
The landmark is to undergo a £6 million transformation including improvements to the main entrance on Station Square as well as the main concourse and new retail units. The entrances on Strothers Lane and Falcon Square will also be improved.
The Railway Heritage Trust, which works to conserve and enhance Britain’s rich railway history, is looking to grant about £75,000 to preserve historic features including stonework currently hidden behind modern buildings at the Falcon Square entrance.
Andy Savage, the trust’s executive director, passed through the station this week while visiting the north of Scotland and said he was “very happy” with the proposed designs for the revamp.
“The railway is building on its history,” he said. “The important thing is how we use what is there to serve today’s needs . The railway is not a museum.”
A ScotRail spokesman said the revamp is due to start next year although the exact date is still to be confirmed. It is expected to take about one year to complete.
The work will improve links between the station and the city centre.
“The heritage funding will ensure we can sensitively protect and enhance the quality of the historic environment affected by the overall project,” he said.
“The investment we are making – in the redevelopment of Inverness station, Inter7City trains connecting Scotland’s seven cities and the Aberdeen to Inverness improvement programme means it’s an exciting time for this part of the country.
“This investment will improve the service we offer to our customers and support the local economy while preserving the station’s history.
“It’s central to our plan to build the best railway Scotland has ever had.”
