‘Heartening’ to hear from ScotRail and Network Rail at Carrbridge on Highland Main Line
Highland Scottish Green MSP Ariane Burgess, met with local and national transport stakeholders at Carrbridge Station to discuss improvements to the Highland Main Line (HML) and its role in delivering sustainable travel across the region.
What is understood to have been a constructive and enthusiastic meeting, hosted by the Highland Main Line Community Rail Partnership (HML CRP), brought together representatives from Network Rail, ScotRail, HITRANS, the Cairngorms National Park Authority, and Badenoch and Strathspey Community ConnXions.
Discussions focused on increasing the frequency of trains, shifting more freight onto rail, improving integration with bus and active travel routes, enhancing station facilities, and exploring the potential to reinstate former stations such as Tomatin.
The MSP said: “It was heartening to hear from both ScotRail and Network Rail about the work being undertaken in what is a very complex sector. Some timetabling suggestions were taken on board, including scheduling that would encourage people to take the train to popular visitor destinations along the line, such as Landmark Forest Adventure Park
“Transport is one of Scotland’s highest sources of carbon emissions, and we urgently need to reduce our reliance on private cars. The Highland Main Line has the potential to become the backbone of a truly joined-up, low-carbon transport system for the region – one that works for both residents and visitors.”
The meeting also considered international examples of successful rail-based transport systems in mountain regions, such as the High Tatras in Slovakia and the Chamonix Valley in France, where integrated networks make it easy to travel without a car, and in Chamonix free travel for visitors is funded through their visitor levy.
The Cairngorms National Park aims for 25% of visitors to arrive by public transport – a goal that will require investment in infrastructure and coordination across agencies.
Carrbridge Station was highlighted as a model for future improvements, with strong community involvement and aspirations to make stations welcoming hubs for travel and tourism.
Ms Burgess added: “While electrification or double-tracking is the longer term vision, we don’t have to wait for that to make progress.
“During the meeting it become clear that to improve rail user experience – for both passengers and freight we need to fund upgrading of the signalling system, fix the passing loops that are out of service, and look into the feasibility of both extending some passing loops and reinstating ones that have been taken out of the system since the 1970s.
“In parallel, work on improving station access, co-ordinating timetables, and supporting community-led initiatives, needs to be undertaken to start making rail the easiest and most appealing choice for travel in the Highlands.”
One clear takeaway from Wednesday’s meeting was that the rapid growth of renewables in the Highlands will mean moving far more heavy kit - turbine components, transformers and cabling - into and across the region. The Highland Main Line should be the key link of that supply chain, the meeting agreed.
Said Ms Burgess: “If we plan now for modern rail freight - freight paths, sidings and loading points - we can bring those materials in by rail rather than piling more HGVs onto already pressured roads, cutting emissions, congestion and risk.”
Following the Carrbridge meeting, she is continuing to engage with other community rail partnerships across the region.
The programme included a visit to Boat of Garten where many community rail partnership representatives gathered to celebrate the Highland Main Line being honoured with the presentation of the Red Wheel.
There was also a visit from the Inspiration Train which was calling at Boat of Garten as part of the 200 years of railways celebrations to learn more about local aspirations and share ideas for building a more sustainable and accessible transport network.