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Highland Life / News / Highland Council News / TEC Services chairman clarifies Council's stance on re-opening Conon Railway Station

TEC Services chairman clarifies Council's stance on re-opening Conon Railway Station

Issued: 16 Aug 2024

While The Highland Council supports the re-opening of Conon Bridge Railway Station, responsibility for maintaining and upgrading the rail infrastructure lies with Network Rail.

This was stressed by Councillor John Laing, Chairman of the Transport, Environmental and Community Services Committee, in a letter to David Thompson MSP for the Highlands and Islands, in which Councillor Laing clarified points raised in a leaflet issued by the MSP entitled "The truth about Conon rail stop".

Councillor Laing said: "The re-opening of the facility has never been included in the Council's capital programme and to avoid any confusion there are no plans to change this position.

"We have set aside £100,000 in our programme to provide road-related infrastructure to help the modal shift from road to rail. This is on the basis that Network Rail re-open the railway station."

Mr Thompson's claim that the Council received £60 million in the current year from the Scottish Government was also challenged by Councillor Laing.

The Council's capital programme for 2024/11 showed a net allocation of £61,933,000. The Scottish Government's contribution was £38,415,000.

"While this is very welcome" said Councillor Laing, "it is less than the £60 million quoted in Mr Thompson's leaflet."

The Council will be represented at a meeting being held on 10 September regarding Conon Railway Station and the A835 junction.

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