Network Rail Scotland is set to deliver a major £9 million programme of upgrades and repairs on the iconic Kyle Line and at Inverness Station, with a three-week closure planned later this year to enable critical work to be completed efficiently.
The scenic route, which connects communities across the Highlands and remains one of Scotland's most popular railways for tourists, will close between Dingwall and Kyle of Lochalsh from Saturday 28 November to Friday 18 December, with services scheduled to resume on Saturday 19 December.
The investment programme is designed to improve long-term reliability, resilience and safety across the route, while reducing the need for future disruption caused by unplanned maintenance.
During the closure period, Network Rail engineers will undertake a wide range of works across the railway.
At Inverness Station, track and sleepers will be renewed at Platforms 5 and 6. Engineers will also refurbish points equipment that enables trains to move between different tracks, helping improve operational reliability and reduce delays.
Across the line, around 7km of track will be renewed at several locations, including:
- Between Welsh's Bridge and Rose Street level crossing in Inverness
- Achanalt
- Rosebank near Achnasheen
- Between Strathcarron and Stromeferry
The renewals are expected to deliver a smoother and more dependable experience for passengers travelling on the Highland route.
Significant drainage improvements will also be carried out through the replacement and renewal of culverts between Dingwall, Achnasheen and Stromeferry. The work is intended to strengthen the railway's resilience against increasingly challenging weather conditions.
In addition, structural repairs and track renewal projects will take place on several railway bridges, including the historic Carron Viaduct, helping safeguard the route for future generations.
Network Rail is working closely with train operators to minimise disruption during the closure and support local communities and passengers affected by the works.
The three-week blockade will allow multiple projects to be delivered simultaneously, reducing the need for repeated closures and providing better value from the investment.
Gerry McQuade, Capital Delivery Director at Network Rail Scotland, said:
“The Kyle line is one of Scotland's most scenic and important routes, connecting communities across the Highlands. This £9m investment will allow us to carry out a significant amount of work in a short period of time, helping us keep the railway safe, reliable and resilient for the future.
"We know that closing the line will cause disruption and we're sorry for the inconvenience. By bringing together a wide range of upgrades and repairs during one closure, we can complete this work as efficiently as possible and reduce the need for future unplanned disruption. We'd like to thank passengers, communities and businesses along the route for their patience and understanding while we deliver these essential improvements."
Image credit: Network Rail
