Scottish Greens call for dualling Highland Main Line
The Highland Main Line is the main rail link from Inverness to the Central Belt of Scotland, despite this, two-thirds of the 118-mile line is stuck in the past.
Scottish Greens Highlands and Islands MSP Ariane Burgess will be calling for the modernisation of this essential travel corridor as part of a Members' Debate she is leading this afternoon in the Scottish Parliament.
Of the 118-mile line between Inverness and the Central Belt, the vast majority is still single-track and only capable of carrying outdated diesel trains.
The Scottish Government has long committed to pouring billions of taxpayers' money into the dualling of the A9, however, the rail line that runs alongside it could be upgraded at a fraction of the cost and deliver real change for all the communities along its route.
In 2008, the Scottish Government pledged to reduce rail journey times to Inverness by 30 minutes. Nearly two decades later, only four minutes have been saved, and Highlanders are still waiting.
Calling for action, Ariane said:
“The Highland Main Line is the spine of Scotland, and keeps our Highland communities going.
“It hosts crucial freight routes to the central belt, but also connects our vibrant communities to the rest of the country, making it essential to our tourism industry.
“Despite being so important to so many, it has sat ignored by governments when the A9, right next to it, has seen billions poured into its never-ending upgrades.
“People up and down the line have been waiting years for action. It’s time for the Scottish Government to live up to their promises and invest in the future of Highland rail.”
Ariane added:
“Rail investment is climate action, it’s economic development, it’s fairness. I will be taking the voice of Highland communities who rely on this railway into parliament this week and demanding action from the Cabinet Secretary for Transport. It’s time to dual and electrify the Highland Main Line.”