New footbridge at Kingussie railway station is approved
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Network Rail has said it is now reviewing the conditions for planning approval for a new footbridge at Kingussie railway station before determining its next step.
The go-ahead has been given for the crossing after an earlier separate bid for a footbridge described by a planner as 'one most insensitive locations I have ever seen' was thrown out.
Members of Highland Council's South Planning Applications Committee approved the new installation with two nine-metre high lift towers for the town's Category B Listed station.
It will be around 90 metres down platform from the existing cast-iron lattice footbridge dating back to 1894.
There has been some praise but much more criticism of applicants Network Rail's handling of the overall application.
They had originally planned to put the new much larger crossing by the existing structure and it would have been just three metres away from the porch of the Station Master's House.
This first application caused much concern in the community and in particular 'anguish and pain' to the family of former long-time station master the late Angus Blackstock.
The second proposal was unanimously approved at the latest meeting of the council's SPA committee but strangely the rail body had refused to withdraw the original controversial first application so this had to be considered at the same Inverness headquarters gathering.
The installation of footbridge with associated lifts by the Station Master's House and removal of existing footbridge was recommended for refusal and councillors had no hesitation in backing this.
A Network Rail spokesman said: "Our application at Kingussie was submitted to achieve the aim of improving accessibility at the station within the context of the heritage listing.
"Improving access to the railway is a key enabler of modal shift and supports our view that rail travel is for everyone.
"Our proposals were developed over time with the input and advice from a range of stakeholders including Highland Council.
"Both the refusal and the approval with conditions, as determined by Highland Council, enable us to consider our approach to delivering accessibility at the station and on the wider Highland line.
"We will take some time to review the conditions attached to the approvals and discuss these further with stakeholders, including the council, to agree next-steps."
Highland Council planning officer Norman Brockie had told the SPA committee meeting the property was not included in the listing for Kingussie railway station 'which we consider is an anomaly given its historic association'.
He said the lift tower on the main platform would be less than three metres from the entry porch of the Station Master's House
Mr Brockie, a long-serving planning officer, said: "This is one of the most insensitive locations I have ever seen for a development."
He also said on the location as seen from the level crossing: "If we have a new bridge here with its almost nine metre tall lift towers either side the impact on the character and setting of the listed buildings is overwhelmingly negative."
Mr Brockie also highlighted that a 3D image which Network Rail submitted 'shows part of the station building but curiously does now show the Station Master's House'.
Councillor Russell Jones, who lives in Kingussie, said: "To be honest it was quite bizarre where they want to put this bridge and caused a lot of anguish and pain for the family who live in the Station Master's House and who are actually a railway family – the gentleman himself was station master of Kingussie many years ago.
"They have owned the house for 60 years and unfortunately all this came up towards the end of his life – not that Network Rail would have known this – and it caused a lot of anguish and pain and his family have fought very hard against this development in this location supported by the community council."
There was unanimous agreement to refuse the bridge at this location and the business them moved to the revised application.
Mr Brockie explained at the outset that planners had asked Network Rail to withdraw the first proposal after a new location had been agreed in principle but they had refused.
He explained: "They came back and said Transport Scotland would not allow them to do so – I am not sure why or whether they will appeal a refusal but they would not withdraw it."
Mr Brockie said the length of trains using the Highland main line means it would not be in an 'onerous position' for rail travellers.
Councillor Jones said: "I would like to thank Network Rail for listening to the community and coming back with this revised location which makes much more sense than the existing bridge... Passengers could not currently be further to one end of the platform.
"As a community we actually welcome this new bridge. It is going to provide disabled access and easy access for bikes and large luggage, etc.
"In 2023 we should have disabled access to both platforms and we want to encourage more people to use the station and travel by rail to visit Badenoch and Strathspey."
He added: "The other location was a non-starter as far as I and the community were concerned."
Councillor Lobban said: "This is a sensible decision and a good place for it."
A planning condition to retain the old footbridge was also agreed and Network Rail has, said Councillor Laurie Fraser, 'responsibilities and they really need to live up to them'.
By keeping it open, it means the rail body will have to maintain the structure to comply with health and safety requirements.
Councillor Lobban said: "We need to look after our built heritage – it is imperative that buildings like this need to be retained and we can not let Network Rail allow them to fall down."
Committee vice-chairman Thomas MacLennan said Kingussie railway station has 'a unique ambience'.
He commented: "It could be used as a film set for any period of time dating back for the past century."
But he said the last time he was at the station the one thing that did catch his eye was the existing bridge: "It was a bit rusty and a bit tatty. I whole-heartedly agree that the upkeep of these bridges is important."
Mr Brockie said at the end of the debate the same issues at Category A Listed Aviemore railway station are also 'ramping up'.
The original Kingussie station house was built in the 1860s but the timber building burnt down and was replaced by the current property in 1890s
Network Rail is currently putting in applications for the new footbridges ahead of plans to electrify the main line but recently said that the project was still at a very early stage.
