Altnabreac couple’s civil court case against Network Rail is dismissed

A civil court case lodged by a couple at Altnabreac has been dismissed after the pair pursuing the claim failed to appear at Wick Sheriff Court.

In the case of Ian Appleby and Elizabeth Howe versus Network Rail (Infrastructure) Limited, which was called at Wick last week, the action was dismissed.

The couple, who live at the former station house at Altnabreac and have been involved in a long-running dispute over access to and ownership of land thereabouts, were also made liable to pay costs to Network Rail.

It is understood there are no other live civil cases outstanding involving Network Rail relating to Altnabreac station, which recently reopened to trains after being closed since November 2023.

Appleby and Howe are contesting a criminal charge at the same court, which alleges that they repeatedly stood on a rail track in the path of trains approaching Altnabreac station.

Last week their solicitor Fiona MacDonald confirmed they were adhering to their not guilty pleas.

The charge accuses Appleby and Howe of having, on March 1 last year, culpably and recklessly and with “utter disregard for the consequences”, crossed barriers onto the level crossing at the station and onto the rail track while trains were approaching, to the danger of themselves and passengers and staff on board.

After a hearing last week, their trial is now scheduled to go ahead on July 10.

They are currently banned from using the crossing when a train is due as well as being banned from going on any rail track under a condition of their bail.