Highland MSP Duo Seek City Deal Funding for Lentran Loop Reinstatement

3rd September 2015

Highlands and Islands (Scottish Labour) MSPs, David Stewart and Rhoda Grant are seeking a commitment from the Scottish Government to progress the reinstatement of the Lentran Loop, north of Inverness, to allow for the passing of trains in order to reduce congestion and improve the rail service north.

In June 2015, David Stewart MSP, asked the Scottish Government if they would consider the construction of a length of re-doubled track at Lentran, that would reduce congestion on the line connecting Inverness and the north. The Transport Minister, Derek Mackay MSP, replied saying it was an "interesting proposal" to improve the rail network to the far north.

The campaign group Friends of the Far North Line, are now seeking funding from the £300 million Inverness City Deal to support the reinstatement of the Lentran Loop, a move being backed by both Rhoda Grant and David Stewart MSP.

Commenting David Stewart MSP said: "Inverness is becoming increasingly congested with traffic in both the city centre and the roads in and out of the city northbound, moving more commuters from road and on to rail would be a good thing. We can only encourage people to switch from road to rail though if there is a reliable, regular and relatively quick service to and from the city.

“The only passing place north of Inverness is Muir of Ord and this can cause major delays to services if they are running just behind time headed towards Inverness. We have seen the popularity of train use increase with the reopening of stations north of Inverness like Beauly and Conon Bridge, the next step to increase passenger numbers and reduce congestion in Inverness is to is to reintroduce the Lentran loop and provided a better, more regular service."

Rhoda Grant MSP, who has campaigned for reduced journey times to and from Inverness to Wick/Thurso stations also supports the reintroduction of the Lentran Loop to reduce journey times for far north line passengers, said:

“Journey times to and from Inverness towards Wick now take around 4 hours and 20 minutes, which is a backward step, given 10 years ago it was 3 hours 52 minutes. The increase in journey time is in part due to the reopening of stations along the length of the line, and while this is welcome, we need to see railway line infrastructure improved to ensure the line can function well for passengers.

“Having campaigned for improvements the length of the line, I know that there is a real desire to see a more reliable and better rail service to and from the Highland capital. I fully back the calls by the Friends of the Far North Line campaign group to reintroduce the Lentran Loop for the benefit of Inverness, stations north of Inverness and also rail passengers. “

Rhoda Grant MSP and David Stewart MSP have written a joint letter to the Scottish Government Transport Minister, Derek Mackay MSP, asking that funds from the Inverness City Deal and the Scottish Government are used to reintroduce the Lentran loop ahead of preliminary planning for rail the next rail infrastructure development period, CP6, which starts on 1st April 2019.