Date: 02/06/2012

JOURNEY times by train between the Central Belt and the capital of the Highlands are slower than they were a decade ago despite a pledge by the First Minister that they would be speeded up. Alex Salmond, speaking after a cabinet meeting in Inverness in 2008, indicated that travel times would be slashed by up to 35 minutes through a series of rail improvements. But rail campaigners claim that while driving between the south of Scotland and Inverness is now quicker due to road improvements, train passengers are still stuck on a largely single-track railway north of Perth. And although more trains have been added to the service since December, the additional congestion caused has slowed some services down, leaving passengers waiting longer in passing loops at stations.

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Inverness trains slower despite Alex Salmond pledge

Scotsman

JOURNEY times by train between the Central Belt and the capital of the Highlands are slower than they were a decade ago despite a pledge by the First Minister that they would be speeded up.

Related images

Photocall on the platform at Beauly station during a break in the recording of Great British Railway Journeys in September 2012. Left to right are railway author Anne Mary Paterson, programme presenter Michael Portillo and Mr Paterson. The series featuring the journey to the far north kicks off on BBC2 at 18.30 on Monday 21 January.
Location: Beauly
Company: Sutherland Railway
/09/2012 John Yellowlees Collection

The Long Wait, Carrbridge, November 2005. A crewman on the held 10.10 Glasgow Queen Street - Inverness looks out onto Carrbridge viaduct for signs of the delayed southbound crossing service.
Location: Carrbridge
Company: Inverness and Aviemore Direct Railway (Highland Railway)
01/11/2005 John Furnevel

The Highland Chieftain leaves Perth platform 7 and heads north for Inverness on 14 July.
Location: Perth
Company: Scottish Central Railway
14/07/2010 Brian Forbes