The Rail Freight Group (RFG) has said an upgrade to the railway line between Perth and Inverness would help ease traffic on the A9, the BBC has reported.

The suggestion follows an announcement made by the Scottish Government on Friday that average speed cameras are to be installed on the road between Perth and Inverness.

The move is being seen as a way of easing travel on the route, as ministers encourage a shift from road to rail transport. RFG, which represents freight companies and retail businesses, has said it wants more goods moved by rail than road.

David Spaven, the group's spokesman in Scotland, is quoted as saying: "The introduction of speed cameras will do much to cut the accident toll on the A9, but it's important that the Scottish government goes further to reduce the volume of HGVs on the road.

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"There is scope for rail to carry far more supermarket traffic as well as Highland exports such as whisky and timber.

"But the Perth-Inverness railway is still two-thirds single-track and there is limited capacity for additional freight and passenger traffic, so a substantial upgrade is essential."

A spokesman for government agency Transport Scotland explained: "The strategic transport projects review recommended both the upgrading of the A9 from Dunblane to Inverness and also rail enhancements to the Highland main line between Perth and Inverness, with freight benefits being an integral part of this project.

"Ministers remain committed to encouraging modal shift from road to rail and continue to offer significant support to the rail freight industry to achieve our aim of economic growth and encouraging sustainable transport.

"This includes the Scottish strategic rail freight investment fund, which will provide up to £30m to improve rail infrastructure, and continued funding of the freight facilities grant and mode shift revenue support schemes."

On Friday, it was revealed the Government plans to introduce an average speed camera system on the A9 between Dunblane and Inverness. The system should be in place by next summer and Transport Minister Keith Brown said it was one of many safety measures to be introduced along the route.

(JP)