Stand-off at Altnabreac as Network Rail staff blocked from accessing railway
A stand-off close to a remote railway station in Caithness on Wednesday saw Network Rail workers blocked from accessing the railway line at Altnabreac.
It is understood that two people were involved in blocking the route to the railway on the tracks which lead from the road-end at Loch More to the station. One vehicle is said to have been used to block an access route, while another person apparently "chained themselves" to a gate.
The queue of traffic backed up totalled at least 27 vehicles, and included Network Rail and police vehicles, according to a witness.
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “Following conversations with a local resident and the British Transport Police, our engineers left the site while we decide on the best way to carry out the required work.”
British Transport Police confirmed: "Officers on patrol at Altnabreac railway station liaised with two parties after being notified of a civil dispute at just after noon on March 22."