Call goes out over community partnership for far north line
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A call has gone out for local people to get involved in a community rail partnership to help the Caithness and Sutherland economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic.
The aim is to encourage more visitors to the area – without attracting more road traffic.
Plans for the Far North Line Community Rail Partnership are being driven forward by Michael Willmot, who some years ago set up Helmsdale Station CIC, a community interest company that restored Helmsdale station as holiday accommodation. It uses some of its trading surplus to promote the far north line.
Mr Willmot said: “A community rail partnership forms a bridge between the railway and its local communities. It brings together a wide range of interests along the rail corridor to develop and jointly promote the line and all the attractions and amenities it leads to.
“Such a partnership can boost tourism and make the rail service more responsive to local needs.
“The aim is not just to promote the line and the businesses, services and visitor attractions that can be reached on it, but to improve its stations and to contribute to work towards improving integrated public transport provision for the area.”
The partnership will operate as a charitable organisation and funding has already been pledged to employ a community rail partnership officer for 12 months, with ScotRail agreeing to provide some financial aid.
Mr Willmot explained: “The person appointed as officer will be making contact with businesses, services and attractions along the line, establishing a website, developing other publicity and promotional material and forging links with other agencies having common cause.
“If initial activity is successful, duties would include making funding applications to secure the partnership’s work into the future.
“We are seeking trustees and management group representatives with community connections along the line who can help with the establishment of Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation [SCIO] and oversee the appointment of, and support and guidance for, the community rail partnership officer.”
For further information or to express an interest in assisting in any way, email Michael Willmot at helmsdalestation@gmail.com
