Another Ross-shire rail station is a step closer to getting back on track, more than half a century after it closed.
Councillors yesterday raised a green flag to a feasibility study aimed at restoring the Evanton link.
The Ross and Cromarty committee, meeting in Dingwall, will seek a contribution from a local windfarm community fund towards the admin cost. The council will use social networks to help measure support for the move.
Since Evanton station’s closure in 1960 about 140 Scottish stations have been opened or re-opened including Muir of Ord, Beauly and Conon Bridge.
It first opened in 1863. Its closure forced passengers to travel more than four miles to either Alness or Dingwall to catch a train.
Councillors Mike Finlayson and Martin Rattray have fought for its reinstatement for years.
Mr Finlayson said: “I’m thankful for the support of colleagues. We really want to encourage people to get involved and submit their views.”
Mr Rattray said: “We now need to build a strong business case, and that’s what we’ll do.”
Local members are confident restoration of the link would boost tourism, ease travel and trigger growth with a greater demand for homes in the area.
Frank Roach of transport agency Hitrans, who pressed the case for reopening Evanton more than a decade ago, aired some caution.
“Some important network problems need to be sorted out first because of insufficient capacity to have an additional stop,” he said. “Neverthless, it’s entirely justifiable and I fully support them in gauging public opinion.”
Quick-thinking councillor Maxine Smith yesterday ensured a vital connection with the authority’s transport planning manager Richard Gerring. After a video link failure she connected her mobile phone to a speaker to allow him to join the debate from his Inverness office.