Investment in Highland stations

Tuesday 31 March 2009

A new round of investment by ScotRail and Transport Scotland is benefiting stations across the Highlands.

At Inverness Station, ScotRail has converted a former shop unit into a new waiting room which provides customers with a sheltered heated area on the main concourse to await their trains in comfort.  

In addition - thanks to funding from Transport Scotland, ScotRail will be installing a courtesy counter within the Travel Centre at Inverness Station which allows wheelchair-users to be served at their height.

Automatic sliding doors will also be provided to improve access for people with mobility difficulties, and REACT signage will be provided around the station to assist the visually impaired. All the work is due for completion by early summer.

At Kingussie Station, a new accessible toilet is being fitted which will also receive a courtesy counter and power assisted doors under the Access for All programme, with the work completed soon.

ScotRail also plan to install automatic sliding doors at Huntly Station later this year. 

All stations on the Inverness-Aberdeen and Inverness-Perth routes have received automated loudspeaker systems following funding from Transport Scotland. They provide travellers with more comprehensive train-running information.

ScotRail has also renewed the autodial Help Points at stations on the Inverness-Kyle, Inverness-Perth and Oban-Crianlarich lines, where required - allowing customers to speak to staff in a Customer Services Centre.

Steve Montgomery, ScotRail's acting managing director, said: "We are delighted to make these improvements to access as well as information systems for our customers in the Highlands."

Frances Duffy, Director of Strategy and Investment at Transport Scotland, added: "Transport Scotland works closely with ScotRail and a range of disability organisations to identify and deliver improvements that will encourage disabled people to use the rail network across Scotland. We look forward to making further improvements to the network through the Access for All fund in future years".

Frank Roach, rail development manager of HITRANS, the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership, said: "Users of Inverness Station will be especially pleased with these enhancements which follow the recent announcement of improved services in the summer timetable."

These include a shorter journey time of the 10.11 Glasgow-Inverness train - allowing for a new link to the onward service between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh, with passengers able to reach Kyle of Lochalsh by 16.00.

Media enquiries:
Iain Wilson, Head of Media Relations: 0141 335 4565 / iain.wilson@firstgroup.com
www.scotrail.co.uk
Carla Rinaldi, Communications Assistant: 0141 335 5156 / carla.rinaldi@firstgroup.com