The Friends of the Far North Line
Cairdean Na Loine Tuath
the campaign group for rail north of
Inverness - lobbying for improved services for the local user, tourist and freight
operator
On 5 June the news broke in the Inverness Courier that the long-planned transport hub for the city has passed a vital landmark.
Network Rail has bought several key sites needed for the development. Transport Scotland funded the purchase of the Royal Mail sorting office [A] and car park [B], the TK Maxx and Sports Direct buildings [C], the Strothers Lane car park [D] and Highland Rail House [E] - a Grade A listed building, the original headquarters of the Highland Railway.
The 'Platform4Change' project is promoted by HITRANS and the detailed planning will also involve Network Rail, Transport Scotland, Highland Council and organisations such as Inverness Business Improvement District and Inverness Chamber of Commerce.
Frank Roach, HITRANS partnership manager, has been working on the project since 2014. He commented, "This investment by Transport Scotland will enable long-held aspirations to improve facilities to be realised. In the future there may be something much more majestic than the 1960s development we have at the moment. Whatever is planned, it will be spacious and is very likely to include a retail offer and bars and cafés."
