New signals help ease Stromeferry delay misery
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WAITING times at a disruptive set of roadworks in Wester Ross has been slashed to as low as 20 minutes after a new signalling system went live.
Rail network bosses, Highland Council and road transport chiefs have been looking at ways to minimise the impact of repeated road closures on the A890 Stromeferry bypass while vital work to shore up a notoriously unstable rock face takes place.
Since the work began last month it has caused misery for countless drivers, who have been left facing lengthy waits for trains to pass so that they can access a temporary road-to-rail diversion which briefly diverts cars onto the tracks of the Kyle Line to get around the works.
There have been queues of up to 100 vehicles at particularly busy times.
In a bid to slash those waits a new temporary signalling system has been installed on the neighbouring rail line to reduce the time the track must remain out of bounds to cars.
Before the new signals went in, the signalling section ran all the way from Kyle of Lochalsh to Strathcarron station, meaning that the road had to stay closed when a train was located anywhere between those two stops – despite being miles from the scene.
But moves by Network Rail to installed temporary stop boards and an automatic warning system for trains approaching Stromeferry have dramatically reduced that distance.
The new signals, which Network Rail chiefs said would essentially act like a level crossing on either side of the works, went live on Saturday.
It said it hoped the compromise will prove effective at balancing the needs of rail users with those of the wider community, adding that it cannot suspend train services on any railway.
Simon Constable, head of route safety for Network Rail Scotland, said: "We are pleased to have been able to put these new arrangements in place which will allow train operators to keep using the line, while also increasing access across our infrastructure.
"We have essentially turned a section of the line into a temporary level crossing, installing new equipment and deploying additional staff, to help mitigate the impact of the road closure."
Garry Smith, principal engineer with the Highland Council, said: "The changes to the signalling system established by Network Rail will greatly reduce the traffic queues through the roadworks.
"The changes will allow far more time for the convoys to operate and closure times should be reduced to around 20 minutes. The Highland Council appreciate the work by Network Rail to introduce this innovative solution."
Despite the reduced length of daytime closure windows the road will remain shut each night from 10pm to 7am. Work is expected to be complete by late next month.
