A £1.7m investment by the Scottish Government is being used to extend platforms at eight stations on the West Highland Line.
Platforms at Helensburgh Upper, Ardlui, Roy Bridge, Garelochhead, Arrochar and Tarbet, Crianlarich, Bridge of Orchy and Tulloch stations will be extended, with work starting at Arrochar & Tarbet tomorrow, Saturday, January 27.
Work at all stations is expected be complete by this summer, which will allow the operation of longer trains and Highland Explorer carriages, which can accommodate up to 20 bikes in response to increasing leisure travel and higher demand for bike spaces. They also USB and plug charging points and feature table maps illustrating the route and recommendations for walking, cycling, and attractions to visit.
Services to Oban, Fort William and Mallaig will benefit from more seats and increased space for luggage and large items such as bikes, rucksacks, and sports equipment. There will also be an extra toilet and space for a catering trolley.
Each station platform will be extended by 15m, with additional work requiring the erection of safety gates, barriers , and access stairs where necessary.
Four of the stations are designated as ‘Listed Buildings', so the design and utilise materials will integrate with existing structures, and the Listed Building Consent applications have been submitted to carry out the work.
John Collins, Network Rail's sponsor for the project said, “The West Highland Line is considered by many to be one of the world's most scenic railway journeys so it is no surprise that demand for leisure travel on the line is high.
“Add to this the number of people accessing the area to walk and cycle and it is clear that demand is outstripping capacity on services on the line – with the only answer being to add carriages to the existing services.
“To enable the longer trains to run, we need to lengthen the platforms at stations across the route and this will ultimately help to deliver more seats and more bike spaces on trains. This will create a better passenger experience for people wishing to enjoy some of the best of what Scotland has to offer.”
Scott Prentice, ScotRail strategy and planning director, said: “We know how popular the West Highland Line is with our customers, and it continues to attract visitors from all over the world.
“The work being carried out by our colleagues at Network Rail is a fantastic step forward and will allow us to make changes to the trains that operate on the route.
“We are currently looking at all of the available options to add extra carriages throughout the day and we will confirm those changes as soon as possible.”
Having been a member of traincrew in England for 22 years, I think they should not only keep the alcohol ban, but extend it everywhere across the network in England and Wales too.
Then maybe, just maybe, we might see a decrease in thuggish behaviour by some who think it’s fine to get tanked up on ale and then be abusive to railway staff and other passengers too.
These comments should be about improving leisure travel on West Highland line.The recent feedback was, apparently, that the alcohol ban was difficult to enforce, made passengers mad because it wasn’t been enforced against “lager louts” type passengers, who won’t obey it anyway.Many leisure passengers would probably like a moderate drink on long, leisure journey.The ban was a COVID only measure anyway.The railway are there to provide what ( reasonable, normal) passengers want on leisure trips.Again, such nanny knows best dictates do not help encourage leisure travel on West Highland Line or elsewhere on Scotland’s many scenic railways.It helps revenue too.
I am not sure how better passenger facilities, on the trains used on the line, could be accommodated.Not sure how more luggage space etc could be created on the 156 units used.If this is such a “leisure” line, then better stock is needed.The catering option/ facilities need improving too.Also, again if this is such a leisure orientated line, when are Scottish Government going to abolished “nanny knows best” ban on social alcoholic drinking on ScotRail.ScotRail asked for passenger’s opinion on this week’s ago ( although it was done in a very low key , sort of secretive way).Train frequency and timing could be better too.It has always been difficult to arrive from south, in Glasgow, and transfer to Queen Street Station to catch a West Highland line train ( too early or too late).
For all the other political problems Scotland has this is an example of getting it right with the railways. If these lines had been under the control of the Department of Transport in London overseen by the visionary HM Treasury it is highly likely none of this would have happened. The Settle an Carlisle line would benefit from a similar investment but not a hope in hell.