ScotRail flags compensation offer for passengers delayed by Easter Ross train and car collision at Delny
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A HIGHLAND rail line has reopened following a collision between a train and a car at a section of track in Ross-shire.
The accident, involving a private vehicle, with a driver and passenger, and the 2pm Inverness to Wick ScotRail service, happened at the Delny level crossing at about 3pm yesterday afternoon.
British Transport Police and two Scottish Fire and Rescue appliances from Invergordon attended the scene but it's understood there were no serious injuries.
The level crossing has been the scene of a fatality and a number of near misses down the years.
Half-barriers were installed at the crossing in 2017 after a 10-year campaign with a questionmark still hanging over delayed plans for a bridge.
A ScotRail spokesman said this morning that the Far North line, which Inverness and Wick and passes a substantial swathe of Ross-shire, reopened around 7.45pm last night.
Phil Campbell, ScotRail customer operations director, said: "Services on the Far North line were disrupted on Friday while the emergency services attended an incident along the route. We're sorry to customers who experienced disruption to their journey as a result.
"Anyone delayed by 30 minutes or more is entitled to claim compensation through the Delay Repay Guarantee on the ScotRail website or mobile app."
SEE ALSO: Delight as new barriers go up at killer Delny crossing
Travel resumes on Inveness - Wick line after collision
To keep customers moving yesterday, valid train tickets were being accepted on selected Stagecoach North bus services.
Retired Tom Anderson, who lives a few hundred yards away at Barbaraville village, yesterday described what he and neighbours had seen.
Mr Anderson said: “We heard sirens just after 3pm and we saw an air ambulance arrive.
“From what neighbours have said, a car containing two people struck a train at the Delny crossing between Tain and Invergordon.
“Thankfully, it seemed that nobody was seriously hurt, but everyone is a bit shocked this has happened.
“The crossing is one where there has been talk of building a bridge for years but that has been recently shelved by Network Rail because of costs of over £12 million.
“Our feeling was proper barriers that were put in a good few years ago were sufficient.
“There have been two previous serious incidents, including one many years ago and a tragic death a few years back.”
* According to ScotRail's online checker, the 08:02 Wick to Inverness due at 12:27pm todaywas cancelled cancelled because of an obstruction on the track earlier today.
ScotRail posted: "We have only managed to secure a 13 -seater mini bus for this cancelled train."
Passengers were given the option of an earlier or later earlier train departing Wick.
ScotRail added: "Because of the use of road transport your journey time will be extended and we apologise for the disruption to you journey on this route, if you are delayed over 30 minutes you can make a claim by visiting ScotRail.co.uk/delay-repay."
