Engineers to inspect 'significant damage' to Far North Line's sea defences, Network Rail Scotland confirms
Specialist engineers are expected to assess the scale of the "significant damage" to sea defences on the Far North Line this morning.
The vital rail link Inverness and the far north has been closed between Brora and Helmsdale since Monday afternoon, after high spring tides and prevailing winds caused stormy seas and coastal flooding in parts of the Moray Firth.
The track between Brora and Helmsdale is particularly susceptible to such events as it runs alongside the beach in a number of areas – and was put out of action for several days by similar conditions back in October.
Network Rail Scotland, updating on the latest damage, has confirmed "significant damage" to the sea defences next to the track.
- Related: Storm damaged sea defences spark closure of Far North Line
- Related: Network Rail set to make urgent seawall repairs on Far North Line as major disruption to services continues between Inverness and Wick
- Related: MP Jamie Stone calls on Network Rail to repair railway line from Helmsdale to Brora
Speaking at 7.25am on Tuesday, the organisation said: "The line still remains closed, but we expect specialist engineers to be on-site at around midday to begin remedial works. More information to follow."
The partial closure of the line has led to widespread knock-on disruption on the route, with some trains cancelled, and others only running for part of their journey before being replaced by bus replacement services.
In a tweet this morning, ScotRail summarised the range of services affected.
It is not known how long the repairs might take, but the disruption earlier this winter season led to days of knock-on disruption,.
For the latest updates visit www.scotrail.co.uk or www.journeycheck.com/scotrail.
