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Friday 15 Aug 2008

INVERNESS-ELGIN RAIL REPLACEMENT WORKS WILL MEAN SMOOTHER JOURNEYS FOR PASSENGERS

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

• Investment by Network Rail will deliver smoother journeys and improved reliability for passengers • First ScotRail to provide replacement bus services between Inverness and Elgin on Sundays to minimise disruption to journeys

Sunday services between Inverness and Elgin will be affected by planned rail improvements in the Forres area over the next four weeks as Network Rail invests in a major track replacement scheme.

The essential works – to replace aging sections of the track between Nairn and Forres – will deliver smoother journeys and improved reliability for the travelling public.

Network Rail is working closely with First ScotRail to minimise disruption for passengers. The train operator will be providing a bus replacement service between Inverness and Elgin, calling at Forres and Nairn, on August 17, 24, 31 and September 7.

David Simpson, Network Rail Route Director for Scotland, said: "These essential improvements to the rail network are vital to the future use of this line. We are conscious of the impact they will have on some journeys and are working hard to complete this project as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Steve Montgomery, First ScotRail's Operations and Safety Director, added: “We have done everything possible to keep inconvenience to an absolute minimum during these works which will bring long term benefits. Some journeys will take longer than normal and passengers should allow more time for travel.”

Details of revised services will be available from National Rail Enquiries at www.nationalrail.co.uk or 08457 48 49 50.