STEWART NICOL: We should use Inverness Airport railway station to get bigger and better improvements

We had some rare good news relating to our city’s transport infrastructure last month with the long-awaited opening of our airport railway station.

I only managed a brief visit to the station during the opening activities, but was involved for long enough to share in the real sense of excitement and celebration around what was an important event. Speaking to the main contractor’s project manager confirmed their sense of achievement in delivering well on a vital and major piece of infrastructure. And rightly so, for I more than consider it as a job well done.

I was however, more than bemused by the ensuing, fairly widespread commentary around the location of the station and its proximity, or otherwise, to the airport terminal – really?! The station is within a reasonable walking distance of the terminal building and will also be connected by a more than adequate shuttle bus link.

Such negative and detracting commentary seems to overlook the simple fact that our city’s airport is now better served by rail, than any other in Scotland. Travellers using rail as a means to get to Aberdeen airport are faced with a three-mile taxi journey from their station and users of Glasgow airport are not much better off. Edinburgh airport is undoubtedly best off with its tram link.

Though, there are aspects of this project that should have been better. It took far too long to get from initial discussion and concept to opening. Surely we should be able to use projects like this to get bigger and better incremental improvements, by installing double track rail into Inverness for example? And why is there still absolutely no sign of anything happening with the Highland ‘Main’ Line?

No doubt there will be tweaks required, and possibly issues to be overcome, as we work towards airport and rail operations functioning as seamlessly as possible. But opening of this railway station is a really positive boost for our airport, the city of Inverness and air travellers from across the Highlands. I’m also sure that many of our local communities will gain from the economic benefits and increased travel choices.