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Rail bosses facing demands to stop trains running through the Stromeferry bypass until works are finished

Engineers work high above the road last year as a train from Kyle passes works on the A890 Stromeferry bypass. Picture by Sandy McCook
Engineers work high above the road last year as a train from Kyle passes works on the A890 Stromeferry bypass. Picture by Sandy McCook

Rail bosses are facing demands to stop trains running through the Stromeferry bypass until the current works are finished.

The local MSP and community members have called for a bus replacement to run from Strathcarron to avoid the current waiting times at the A890 site.

Long delays and issues over the timing of closures have been experienced by motorists, with tailbacks stretching miles at times due to lengthy closures of the road-to-rail diversion.

The Highland Council has now sought to rectify incorrect times being relayed to travellers by releasing an updated timetable displaying the road’s opening and closures.

Local campaigner Robert MacInnes said: “Previously the site had been operating off a different timetable but this has now been rectified and the flashing VMS signs now display the correct times.

“It now gives us an accurate and time for when people can join the queue and expect to get through.”

Frequently around 100 cars have been seen at either side of the closure waiting to pass.


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Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes is the latest leader to echo the community’s suggestion of halting trains at Strathcarron Station, with passengers making their onward journeys to and from Kyle of Lochalsh via a replacement bus service.

Ms Forbes said: “The situation is far from ideal, and is likely to continue for another eight weeks.

“I believe a better solution is that Scotrail and Network Rail should terminate all trains at Strathcarron and for a bus replacement service to operate and call at all stations between Strathcarron and Kyle.

“This would allow the road to rail section to be open whilst works continue on the rock face.”

She added: “Because the peak tourist season has now passed, locally I am told that the train is not particularly busy after Strathcarron, and is easily overshadowed by the number of people sitting in these tailbacks.

“I am not for a minute suggesting that road should always be prioritised over rail but I am looking for a common sense solution for thousands of people on the west coast.”

Disruption in the travel of school pupils to and from Plockton High School has been one the main concerns of the community, with measures put in place that seen children pulled from class early this week to ensure they were home in reasonable time.

Mr MacInnes added: “It is an emergency arrangement which ran smoothly for the kids and workmen are also now escorting school buses through the works on the other days as a priority which has been well received by parents.”