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
Question S5W-29320: Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Answered: 08/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government what consideration it has given to supporting the use of battery and hydrogen technology-powered trains on the Far North Line.
Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is committed to publishing the rail services decarbonisation action plan for Scotland's railways, this will include its assessment on the use of battery and hydrogen technology powered trains as well as electrification to meet the 2035 traction decarbonisation target.
Question S5W-29322: Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour, Answered: 08/06/2020
To ask the Scottish Government whether improvements to double tracking of railway lines north of Perth and serving the Highlands will be undertaken before electrification of lines.
Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government is committed to publishing the rail services decarbonisation action plan for Scotland's railways, this will include its assessment on the use of battery and hydrogen technology powered trains as well as electrification to meet the 2035 traction decarbonisation target. Other infrastructure works may also be required to fully capture the benefits and these will be assessed on each line of route based on current and forecast capacity.