Upgrade will hit rail travel plans
MOTORISTS are being advised by Network Rail that the level crossing in Kingussie will be closed to traffic at certain times over the coming three weeks causing possible disruption to travel plans.
Pedestrians will still be able to use the nearby footbridge during the closures to access the town’s nearby secondary school and the Ruthven area and its historic barracks.
Most of the work has been scheduled to take place at night and on Sundays.
But the closures do mean that parents will be unable to get their children to the school gates on one of the dates when there is work.
For those motorists wanting to cross the rails and caught out by the closures, it will mean a lengthy diversion via Kincraig to businesses and residents along the B970.
The work is taking place as part of major upgrades along the main Highland rail line aimed at improving journey times between the region and the central belt.
A Network Rail spokesman told the Strathy yesterday: “We’re going to be renewing around 550m of track around the station area including over the level crossing.
“This will mean that we have to close the road on the weekends we are undertaking the work.
“We will maintain access for pedestrians during the upgrade but it cannot be delivered without some disruption to road traffic.
“We have issued letters to local residents and spoken to the schools near the crossing to make them aware of the activity taking place.
“The Highland Council roads department has also been involved.
“The work is part of a wider project of upgrades along the Highland main line which will see us renewing sections of track and level crossings and refurbishing structures on the route.”
Network Rail has advised that the closures will take place from:
- 10pm on Saturday, October 26 until 6am Monday, October 28;
- 10pm on Saturday, November 2 until 6am on Tuesday, November 5; and
- 10pm Saturday, November 9 until 6am on Monday, November 11.
Rail travellers using ScotRail and LNER services on the three affected Sundays are expected to have to make connections by coach.
The Network Rail spokesman said that weekday rail services on the main line would not be hit because of the timing of the works to finish in the early mornings.
The level crossing is also expected to be closed over one weekend at the start of the new year for Network Rail workers to inspect and finish off works.
