Upgrades to Scotland’s West Highland Line start this weekend

Network Rail is reminding passengers that, as it announced in September, it will be carrying out upgrade work on the West Highland Line in Scotland starting this weekend. Network Rail’s engineers will be renewing track and carrying out maintenance work on the railway’s infrastructure on the stretch of line between Helensburgh, Fort William and Mallaig. Workers will renew more than four kilometres of track at various locations between Helensburgh and Mallaig. The locations include near Arisaig, Corrour, in the Loch nan Uamh and Beasdale tunnels, at Arrochar and Tarbet station and on the Gleann Mama Viaduct. Renewing the track in these locations will enhance the reliability of railway infrastructure and will therefore lower the risk of delays to train services. Network Rail workers will also refurbish the Fassfern Bridge near Spean Bridge, and will remove a bridge near Loch Eil that is no longer in use. In addition, they will clear vegetation between Fort William and Arisaig, which will reduce the risk of disruption during the current leaf fall season. The work will continue until Tuesday 17 November. It will result in disruption to train services on the line. Replacement bus services will be provided to help passengers complete their journeys. We know these works will mean changes to journeys for customers travelling on the West Highland Line, and we want to thank everyone for their patience while this important investment takes place. The improvements being delivered by Network Rail will help make the railway more reliable and resilient, helping to protect this vital route for the communities, businesses, and visitors who depend on it. We’ll be doing everything we can to keep people moving during the works with a robust rail replacement plan in place. This includes buses replacing trains between Crianlarich and Fort William and Mallaig from Monday until Tuesday, 17 November. Customers should plan ahead and check their journey before travelling. Mark Ilderton, ScotRail service delivery director