Construction underway at Conon Bridge
20th November 2012
Network Rail has begun work on the new station at Conon Bridge.
The station and car park, which will be completed by early February next year, is being delivered by Network Rail and ScotRail in alliance with Transport Scotland, HITRANS and The Highland Council.
The new facility will be open in time to help mitigate the impact of the closure of the Kessock Road Bridge from February 2013.
The project will include the construction of a new 15 metre platform, a waiting shelter, passenger information systems and cycle racks and lockers at the station by Network Rail and ScotRail, while The Highland Council will construct the car park and enhance the road access and street lighting at the station.
Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “Inverness is the economic heart of the Highlands and Islands and an efficient route into the city for commuters is vital. In order to ease congestion, both during the essential Kessock Bridge repairs and beyond, we are encouraging motorists to look at alternative means of travel.
“Additional capacity is being provided on train services during the works and the re-opening of Conon Bridge station will make it easier for people to access these. With £1.8 million being invested in measures to ease congestion during these works, the message is very much that Inverness remains open for business.”
David Simpson, Network Rail route managing director for Scotland, said: “Rail travel continues to grow in popularity across Scotland and we are pleased to be reconnecting the community in Conon Bridge to the rail network.
“We understand how keenly the reopening of this station has been anticipated, and the important role it will play in helping provide travel alternatives during the Kessock Bridge works, and our engineers will work as quickly as possible to deliver this new facility.“
Located between Muir of Ord and Dingwall on the Far North rail line, the reopening of the station will re-establish rail access for the local community after a gap of more than five decades.
Steve Montgomery, managing director of ScotRail, said: “Not only is the re-opening of the station vital to lessen the impact of the Kessock Bridge works, it will also give locals in Conon Bridge and the surrounding area more opportunity to travel by train in the future.”
Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Drew Hendry, added: “Rail is playing an increasingly important role for commuters travelling to Inverness and is a key component of sustainable travel as we move forward into the future. Network Rail is to be congratulated on the reopening of Conon Bridge railway station with assistance from The Highland Council and Scottish Government. This is a big step forward for the Conon catchment residents and will be of significant help in mitigating the effect of reduced capacity on the road network with the forthcoming works on the Kessock Bridge.”
Photo
Conon station before work commenced.
Site of the former Conon Station
© Copyright Richard Dorrell and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
Related Businesses
Related Articles
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
On 27 November 2024 the Community and Places committee will consider a report on play parks in Highland. 94 play parks across Highland including 26 in Caithness are scheduled to close over 5 years.
The information provided is a summary of reports from operational staff and is intended to give a general indication of typical conditions in each area at a point in time. It is not intended to imply that any individual route is entirely snow and ice free and drivers must be aware that conditions can change rapidly and make their own assessment of conditions for travelling.
On Thursday the 21 November 2024, the Education Committee will be presented with an Education Trust Fund report that asks Members to approve the formation of an Education Trust Fund Sub Committee. There are significant funds held by The Highland Council in trust for the educational benefit within different communities.
At the Economy and Infrastructure Committee on Thursday 14 November 2024 councillors adopted an ambitious action plan to tackle biodiversity loss and support a nature-positive Highland. The Council's Ecology Strategy and Action Plan Strategy sets out and defines a series of key actions and activities that will assist the Council to deliver positive action to tackle biodiversity loss and start to address the ecological emergency for the benefit of its environment, economy, and communities.
The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have approved the rural Housing Supplementary Guidance which will now be used to inform all planning advice and decisions. Chair of the Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans said: "Following the decision by members today, I am pleased that we now have a positive, clear and consistent basis for considering and determining rural housing planning applications across the whole of the Highland Council area.
New guidance to support schools and organisations working with children and young people to develop comprehensive anti-bullying policies and improve behaviour and relationships has been published. ‘Respect for all' includes updates for staff on how to deal with specific incidents of bullying, including online bullying.
The Vice Chair of the Caithness Committee, Councillor Struan Mackie has expressed his delight at the number of worthwhile local projects that have benefitted from Ward Discretionary Funding in this financial year. All Council Wards receive a discretionary budget, and it is for Ward Councillors to consider what they wish to commit funds to, in line with Highland Council objectives and outcomes.
The Caithness Committee have agreed to adopt the modified Core Path Plans for Caithness. At their meeting yesterday members had the opportunity to discuss a report that summarised the review of The Highland Council Core Paths Plan in Caithness.
