Network Rail has commenced on tree and vegetation management along a 9-mile section of the Highland Line.

Work will take place within the railway boundary and on adjacent land between Faskally and Pitagowan from today, 15 July, until the end of March next year.

The work is needed to keep passengers safe and trains punctual and to reduce the risk for lineside neighbours.

Engineers will be working both day and night to clear woody material in a 6m section between the outside rail and the boundary.

They will also treat noxious and invasive non-native weeds within the railway corridor while selectively felling and cutting back trees close to the track.

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Heritage, landscape and specimen trees will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will be retained where it is safe to do so.

Rochelle McAllister, scheme project manager, Network Rail, said: "We manage thousands of miles of trees and vegetation along the railway to ensure that everything which grows lineside is safe and does not cause delays to trains.

"Through the management of lineside trees and vegetation, we aim to protect the safety of the operational railway line. This keeps passengers safe and reduces risks for lineside neighbours.

"Elements of this work are unavoidably at night for safety reasons however the teams are always mindful of the impact their work may have and do what they can to minimise this. We want to apologise in advance if anyone is disturbed by the work."

Ahead of the work, environmental surveys have been carried out and the area has been inspected for nesting birds and protected species. We have also worked with our ecologists to minimise the impact of the work on the environment.