Council commits £100,000 towards re-opening of Conon Bridge railway station

The Highland Council has agreed to make a contribution of £100,000 towards the costs of the proposed re-opening of Conon Bridge railway station in recognition of the significant benefits to the local community.

The investment is additional to the £100,000 the Council has committed to the cost of upgrading the railway station car park.

The Council received the request to contribute towards the £850,000 costs of refurbishing the railway station by Transport Scotland, who are working with Network Rail to have the station re-opened by February 2013 – before the start of essential  resurfacing works on the Kessock Bridge, which will continue until June 2014.

Councillor Graham Phillips, Chairman of the Council’s Transport Environmental and Community Services, said: “This is a really excellent community regeneration project, which will bring significant benefits to Conon Bridge and surrounding area.  Our support recognises the remarkable passenger growth on the route between Tain and Inverness. The re-opening of Conon Bridge railway station will extend a further  opportunity for commuters  to make the shift from cars to rail. “

Councillor Angela MacLean, a Ward Member for Dingwall and Seaforth, said : “This is great news for the community.  The re-opening of the station could not come at a better time, given the disruption that will be caused by the partial closure of the Kessock Bridge while it is resurfaced between February 2013 and June 2014.  I am delighted that the Council has backed this project  by not only  contributing towards the station refurbishment but also the car park upgrade.”

The Councillors paid tribute to HITRANS and Friends of the Far North Line for their support for the project.

Conon Bridge railway station has remained closed since June 1960.   Commuter rail services between Dingwall and Inverness started in 1998 and this was extended to Tain in 2000 and Beauly station reopened in 2002.