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Monday 20 Mar 2006

ROCK SOLID INVESTMENT FOR HIGHLANDS

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Passengers are to benefit from a £2 million investment when a team of Network Rail engineers head for Mallaig later this week. The two-week project, which begins on Saturday 25 March, will see abseilers working on the rock embankments to improve their long-term stability, waterproofing a road-over-rail  bridge, making repairs to a tunnel, and renewing eight culverts. The investment follows separate improvements on the Kyle line which were completed on time and on budget earlier this week. David Simpson, Route Director, said: “We’ve got a lot of work to get through in just two weeks but our experienced team is ready for the challenge. Abseilers will be working on the rock cuttings, ensuring their long term stability by scaling the rock and fitting a specialist steel wire mesh. “Meanwhile, separate teams will be repairing Borrodale Tunnel, renewing eight culverts to improve drainage and waterproofing the rail bridge near Beasdale Station. Passengers will see real benefits when the work is complete and it will reduce the need for maintenance in the future.” Network Rail is working closely with First ScotRail, which has organised alternative transport for those services that will be affected: All services between Fort William and Mallaig will start and terminate at Fort William. A replacement bus service will operate between Fort William and Mallaig, calling at all booked intermediate stations. As a result, some trains may be altered causing extended journey times. In the run-up to the work, the 20.18 Crianlarich to Mallaig service will terminate at Fort William on Friday 24 March. A replacement bus will run to Mallaig calling at all booked intermediate stations. Passengers can contact National Rail Enquiries for service information on 08457 48 49 50.