The Scottish Government has set up a new Group to create opportunities for performance improvements on the Inverness to Wick and Thurso route.
The Far North Line Review Group was unveiled by Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing at the Hitrans Annual Rail Stakeholder Conference in Inverness today, 16 December. It will be lead by Director of Rail at Transport Scotland, Bill Reeve.
Mr Ewing said the Group's purpose is to identify timetable improvements and works, such as those at level crossings at Lairg, Brora and Rovie, as well as finding opportunities to use existing funds to improve passenger facilities, such as waiting rooms and shelters, between 2017 – 2019.
In addition, the Group will examine infrastructure options for the government's next investment period between 2019 – 2024.
"The Scottish Government is determined to improve overall performance on our longest rural railway line and it is imperative we look at options to achieve that," Mr Ewing said.
"It is essential we make the most of this important asset for passengers, for sustainable freight transport, and for the communities and businesses along the whole route.
"We are all grateful for the commitment and work carried out so far, but I want the personal assurance that collectively we are doing all we can to improve performance on this route."
(LM/CD)
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Latest Construction News
03/05/2024
The Wheatley Group has been given planning permission from Glasgow City Council to convert the 1930s B-listed Bellgrove Hotel into 14 modern, energy-efficient and affordable flats – eight of which will be wheelchair accessible. Permission has also been granted for a further 56 flats to be built on ...
03/05/2024
Renewable energy leader Drax has announced that it will invest £80 million in a major refurbishment of its iconic 'Hollow Mountain' Cruachan pumped storage hydro power station in Scotland. Global hydropower technology supplier ANDRITZ has been appointed as the main contractor for the Cruachan ...
03/05/2024
Clark Contracts has welcomed the news that the former Dalmarnock Purifier Studios, now branded as EastWorks, has been awarded the Refurbished/Recycled workplace award at the prestigious British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards 2024. The 120-year-old former purifier shed, owned by Clyde Gateway, ...
03/05/2024
Stirling Council has launched a public consultation to shape future developments at the Viewforth and Burghmuir Road areas. The new draft framework and planning brief for Viewforth and Burghmuir covers a key area of the city centre that includes the Viewforth site, existing council buildings, ...
03/05/2024
Morrison Community Care (CCG) Holdco has secured planning permission or its latest project in South Queensferry, marking its third consecutive success. Forming part of a wider 44-hectare masterplan that will include 980 new homes, a primary school and commercial premises on Builyon Road, south of ...
03/05/2024
The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have carried out a review of the last two years of the Community Regeneration Funding Programme, ahead of agreeing changes to how the 2024/25 programme will be delivered. Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "Following a successful two ...
03/05/2024
Perth and Kinross Council and partners are set to progress community-led projects aimed at revitalising homes and improving rural transport links, following a winning bid for Innovate UK Pathfinder Places funding. Funding of £150,000 has been secured following a successful Phase 1 Pathfinder ...
03/05/2024
SGN engineers working on the H100 Fife project have helped support the Methilhill Community Children's Initiative (MCCI) by building an eco-toilet in the charity's learning garden. MCCI provides a safe and engaging space for local children to participate in various outdoor activities, including ...
03/05/2024
SNIPEF, the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation, has published a draft of its 2024 election manifesto detailing six strategic policy proposals designed to support its members and the broader plumbing and heating profession. Once finalised, the manifesto will be central to ...
03/05/2024
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have published their 2024-25 Annual Operating Plan, detailing how they will protect and improve Scotland's environment over the next 12 months. The publication follows the launch of a new Corporate Plan at the end of March, which set out the ...