Minister Confirms Far North Line's Future

Deputy Transport Minister Lewis Macdonald yesterday claimed that the resurgence of rail freight carried north of Inverness can help secure the long-term future of the Far North Line.

He was speaking in Thurso after visiting a new freight handling and marshalling yard opened up by Thurso Building Supplies at its base beside the town's railway station.

Mr. Macdonald heard that the equivalent of 40 articulated lorries worth of goods was moved to the new rail-head within weeks of it opening.

Early interest from potential customers has been very heartening. Managing Director Frank Bremner and his mother, Margaret are planning a second phase, should the business take off as expected. They would create a retail distribution centre with chill facilities which could cater for supermarket produce and fresh fish, thereby reducing congestion on the A9 caused by the daily convoys of articulated lorries.