Highland Mainline engineering works which will close route between Inverness and Perth for four weekends running will see £9m invested on line, says Network Rail Scotland
Major disruption on the Highland Mainline this month will enable £9 million in track improvements to be carried out, Network Rail has revealed.
Rail passengers learned this week that no trains will run on the busy mainline route for four consecutive weekends from the middle of this month.
Buses will replace all ScotRail and LNER journeys between Inverness and Perth on Saturdays and Sundays from November 16 until December 8 inclusive. Caledonian Sleeper services will also be impacted, with trains running via Aberdeen and connecting buses picking up passengers from all intermediate stations between Inverness and Aberdeen.
The scale of the disruption sparked frustration from passengers.
And Network Rail has now revealed more details about the nature of the works it will be carrying out - including the £9 million it is investing in them.
It said that its engineers will be working “on a range of projects”, which include renewing of switches and crossings – moveable sections of track that guide trains from one line to another – between Blair Atholl and Dalwhinnie. This will take place on November 16/17 and November 23/24.
Following this, Network Rail’s staff will spend the following two weekends renewing the Rannoch Road bridge in Killiecrankie, which is being demolished and replaced.
Passengers are being advised to plan ahead for the disruption,
Ross Moran, route director, Network Rail Scotland, said: “The investment we’re making will help keep services reliable for years to come.
“We understand that there’s never a good time to close the railway, however, these works can only be delivered when trains are not operating on the lines.
“We advise everyone planning on travelling on the route during the works to plan ahead and we thank passengers for their patience.”
Highlands and Islands list MSP Edward Mountain is among those to have criticised the timing of the works, branding it “dreadful”.
The Scottish Conservative said it showed a “lack of foresight” given its timing in the lead-up to the festive period.
He said: “Highlanders wishing to travel to do their Christmas shopping or to visit family ahead of the busy festive period must now sit for hours on buses. Some will surely choose not to travel at all.
“It is vital that Highlanders are not left stranded.”
READ MORE: Cancelled ScotRail trains rack up £1.7 million bill for replacement bus services
