OPINION: £11.5m Far North Line upgrade sparks heated debate: ‘Too many know diddly squat’

Last week, it was announced that the Far North Line will be closed north of Dingwall for a three-week period this summer so that an £11.5 million track upgrading programme can be carried out.

Network Rail said the work will increase reliability of rail services for passengers by refurbishing a five-mile stretch of track between Brora and Helmsdale and replacing almost nine miles of track between Invergordon and Fearn.

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To allow the upgrades to be delivered safely and efficiently, the line is set to be closed with no trains running north of Dingwall from Sunday, June 8, until Monday, June 30.

Ross Moran, route director at Network Rail Scotland, said: “Some components on the track are approaching 100 years old, so it’s really important this project goes ahead as we continue to build a railway fit for the future.

“There’s never an easy time to close the line but we know the majority of passengers prefer one continuous period like this, rather than overnight and weekend closures across a much longer timeframe.”

Our readers took to social media to share their thoughts - and there have been some stark differences of opinion.

Rob Elliott said: “Why don't they do this in the winter when the number of passengers is presumably less?”

Gordon Thompson replied: “Clearly you know very little about the construction industry, or you would know that mild weather is essential to many elements of work and longer hours of daylight enable more work to be done each day thus reducing the timescale required to complete the works. Traditionally June is one of the driest and least storm prone months. The planning makes perfect sense.”

Steve Bastiman added: “There's too many 'railway maintenance experts' live down south who understand diddly squat about life north of Perth.”

Joan Mackenzie commented: “Summer? Why? Tourists travel by train! WAKE UP!”

Barbara Scott responded, stating: “Tourists?! That's your concern? I'm more concerned about people who LIVE here getting to work etc. Common sense says you do the work in the days with longest daylight.”

Mauro Pirroni said: “As far as people saying waste of money, do you live up here? We need this line and the essential works, so mind your own business.

“The rest saying ‘Why June?’ The longest days of the year are in June, so there are more hours to work and not doing it in the quieter winter has far more days of bad weather so lots of days where work is stopped. Both these things mean it's only three weeks, and not much longer. As for tourists they can get the bus, like we have to, or hire a car and drive. Most of them are in campervans anyway.”

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