North line report is welcomed

A campaign group has hailed a report that recommends improvement to the railway service between Caithness and Inverness.

Friends of the Far North Line (FoFNL) says a report by the Far North Review Team (FNRT) will deliver a number of benefits along the route and also lays out a potential programme for further improvements that are now under early development.

Achievements to date include improved safety and journey time benefits, as well as customer service enhancements.

One key recommended improvement from the report is the construction of a passing loop near Lentran, north of Inverness. Also mentioned are line-speed improvements, enhancements to user-worked level crossings and to make the “request to stop” service more efficient.

FoFNL convener Ian Budd said: “The final report on the work of the Far North Line Review Team marks a very important point in the process of improving the far north line for passengers and freight.

“Many incremental improvements have already been made. The proposed new service pattern, which will give much-improved journey opportunities, depends on the construction of a passing loop near Lentran, on the busiest section of the line.

“This is something that FoFNL has campaigned for for many years and it is very gratifying to see it in the final stages of development.

“Overall FoFNL is very pleased with the outcomes of the review team.

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