Ground investigation work starts on major rail project on the Highland mainline between Inverness and Perth as part of Network Rail’s rolling programme to decarbonise Scotland’s railway passenger services by 2035
Ground investigation work has started on the Highland mainline between Inverness and Perth.
It is part of Network Rail’s rolling programme to decarbonise Scotland’s railway passenger services by 2035.
Residents living near the route have been sent a letter from Kim McGuire, Network Rail’s communications manager, informing them about the project, saying the investigation work will help inform the design of infrastructure between the two cities.
In her letter she said: “We will be drilling boreholes to assess the ground condition within and surrounding the railway corridor and extracting core samples to assess the condition of the ground under the railway.”
The work is set to take place at existing bridges crossing the railway line, at both track and bridge level, and at various other locations along the route.
Ms McGuire said: “We will be using a variety of equipment which will include track mounted bore rigs, drills, small generators, hand operated coring equipment, rail trolleys, hand tools and task-based lighting.”
The work will take place until the end of July, with teams working along the route between Carrbridge, Tomatin, Moy, Culloden and Millburn, day and at night.
Daytime working will take place midweek between 7.30am and 5pm.
This will be off track, outwith the railway boundary, with temporary traffic management measures in place.
It is intended that overnight work will be carried out towards the summer – out on the track and within the railway boundary.
However further updates will be given nearer the time. There will be no work on Friday nights.
Ms McGuire said: “There will also be increased usage of our access points to the track along the line of the route to mobilise operatives and plant.”
