Dornoch rail link gets shunt in right direction
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE campaign for a Dornoch rail crossing has received “a massive boost” following a survey which was conducted by a local pressure group.
The Dornoch Rail Link Action Group surveyed more than 500 rail users over the past three months and is delighted with the findings.
They show overwhelming support for the crossing which would reduce journey times on the Far North line by 45 minutes. The trip between Wick and Inverness currently takes four hours and 26 minutes.
DorLAG convener Mark Norton told the John O’Groat Journal that 91 per cent of those surveyed backed a direct rail crossing over the Dornoch Firth which would cut 27 miles off the trip. That was seen as the key priority for the route.
Almost 90 per cent questioned said they would be more likely to use the train between Caithness and Inverness if the journey time was cut by 45 minutes.
And 89.4 per cent said shorter journey times would encourage greater use of the service.
“This is the strongest evidence yet of public support for the Dornoch Rail link – among other schemes – for improving the Far North line,” said Mr Norton.
“It constitutes a massive boost to our campaign for major rail improvements which we will use to best effect to make an assertive, meaningful and hard-hitting response to the recently begun Rail 2014 consultation for ?Scotland.”
Mr Norton said the survey results would also assist the case for major rail improvements to help the ongoing development of the local economy in the wake of the rundown at Dounreay.
Good rail links with the south would also help “the major opportunities” from wave, tidal and offshore wind in the Pentland Firth and Orkney as well as the oil and gas developments west of Shetland, he said.
“This has been an encouraging public response to the survey and we are delighted with the results. We are grateful to all the individuals, organisations and parties who helped in the formulation, issue, distribution and collection of this survey. It has been a truly joint effort,” added Mr Norton.
The results also revealed that around 20 per cent of those who took part in the survey used the train service for business while others used it for leisure, shopping and education purposes.
Mr Norton pointed out that the survey was carried out following consultation with local transport and regeneration partnership groups.
“Their assistance is greatly appreciated,” he added.
Transport Scotland is currently carrying out a consultation on the shape and structure of Scotland’s railways. The closing date for submissions is February 20.
A spokeswoman for First ScotRail said: “We look forward to responding to Transport Scotland’s Rail 2014 consultation.
“We believe a franchise with greater flexibility and closer aligned incentives between Network Rail and a private sector train operating company would deliver a more efficient and responsive railway that meets the needs of passengers and continues to grow the market.
“More collaborative working with Network Rail is a crucial step in delivering a better-value railway for our customers and taxpayers alike.”
