Talks taking place over Georgemas railhead use
OPTIONS to transport goods by train throughout the Highlands are being looked at by a group launched by the Scottish Government.
The Far North Line Review Group is looking at freight options as part of a review into ways of reinvigorating the far-north line.
The news comes after further criticism was made about the lack of usage of the railhead at Georgemas Junction outwith the nuclear industry.
Cumbrian-based Direct Rail Services (DRS) constructed the £3.1 million railhead at the railway station, near Halkirk in July 2012.
The 13-metre-high gantry, which has a capacity to carry 110 tonnes, makes it the largest railhead in the UK serving the nuclear industry.
When it was opened five years ago, its operators said it was canvassing other industries to make use of the facilities but it has only been used to service the spent-fuel consignments from Dounreay. Caithness Chamber of Commerce chief executive Trudy Morris said the Scottish Government is looking to find out if more customers can be enticed to change to rail transport.
She said: “The Far North Rail Review Group is looking into freight options as part of a review into the whole line.
“But the issue it is trying to get enough traffic to justify getting a freight train to go up and down the line.
“It is all down to volumes and prices.”
Caithness Transport Forum received an update from DRS saying it is pursuing discussions with leading “blue chip” organisations to promote more use of Georgemas.
They also reported DRS would welcome approaches from any operator with commercial opportunities that do not conflict with the terminal’s prime purpose.
Highland Against Nuclear Transport chairman Tor Justad said he had been told the railhead cannot be used for any customer other than the nuclear industry.
“It saddens me to see it is never used for any other purpose apart from nuclear materials.
“We were told clearly it was an open access site by DRS.
“I have been told it can’t be used by any other operators other than for nuclear materials being moved.”
Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) programme manager Mark Raffle dismissed claims that the railhead could only be used by the nuclear industry.
He said that talks have taken place with other industries about the facility.
“The railhead is available for use by other organisations and I don’t know why it couldn’t be,” he said.
“DRS or NDA can’t force people to use the facility.
“DRS is the firm that can offer it for use and I know there have been a number of discussions.
“But it cannot subsidise people to use it as it has to be done on a commercial arrangement.”