Network Rail has announced that essential maintenance works at Strathcarron level crossing on the Kyle of Lochalsh line will begin on Saturday 29 October.

Immediately adjacent to Strathcarron station, the level crossing safety inspection is scheduled from the evening of Saturday 29 into Sunday October 30.

To complete the required work, which includes a full corrosion inspection, in the safest and most efficient way, the A890 will be closed at the crossing from 22:00hrs on Saturday evening until 07:00hrs on Sunday morning.

Every level crossing has a programme of inspection to ensure that they are safe and operating as designed. At Strathcarron we will remove the units which make up the ‘road surface’ of the crossing to thoroughly inspect the full length of both lines, checking the rails for signs of corrosion and silt build up and assessing the need for any future maintenance.

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During the full road closure there will be no vehicular access over the crossing, except for emergency vehicles. 

Conscious of the inconvenience the road closure will cause, Network Rail is working closely with Highland Council to highlight the situation to road users and will work to keep the duration of the closure to an absolute minimum.

Network Rail is also advising that properties closest to the crossing may also be inconvenienced by the overnight work and would like to thank them in advance for their patience.

Lee Ross, Infrastructure Maintenance Delivery Manager for Network Rail said: "The planned work at Strathcarron level crossing is unavoidable and the safest and quickest way to do what is needed is to close the road.

"The crossing equipment and surrounding track is regularly monitored as part of Network Rail’s rolling maintenance and inspection programme to ensure that it is safe and operating as designed.

"While we appreciate the short-term impact of this work is inconvenient, the long-term benefit is that it helps minimise overall disruption for both passengers and road users and helps us to deliver a reliable and resilient railway."