Passengers are being reminded of disruption to services between Aberdeen and Inverness over the weekend of the 9th and 10th of July

The rail closure will allow work to continue on the building of the new Inverness Airport station and will see Network Rail undertake 54 hours of none stop work from Friday night through to Monday morning.

The work has been planned to take place over the weekend as it cannot be safely carried out with the railway operating.

Rail replacement buses will operate between Inverness and Nairn and Inverness and Elgin on Saturday the 9th of July. Sunday the 10th of July will see the rail replacement buses operate between Inverness and Nairn. Passengers are advised to check their travel plans ahead of making their journey with ScotRail.

Work began on the new £14m Inverness Airport station in October 2021 and has so far seen the construction of new platforms and foundations for a footbridge and lift. Work has also begun to create an access road and car park at the site adjacent to the airport.

The work being carried out during the rail closure will see the demolition of the masonry road bridge which is to the east of the station site, the installation of drainage, platform works and welding and stressing of the double-track section which has been made through the station.

The vast project is set to complete this December and will bring a new two-platform station with step-free access via a footbridge with lifts for the Aberdeen to Inverness line

The new station will also have car parking with 64 spaces alongside 10 electric charging facilities, four disabled spaces and cycle parking. A new access road to the station for motorists will also provide access to both platforms for pedestrians and cyclists

The project will deliver improved connectivity to the growing Inverness Airport Business Park as well as the new town of Tornagrain.

David Millar, Project Manager for Network Rail said: “The construction of Inverness Airport Station continues to gather momentum and this weekend marks a significant point in the project. The removal of the old masonry arch bridge and connecting the passing loop are both important milestones in the delivery of the new station.

“We apologise for any inconvenience while the line is closed this weekend both to those intending to travel and to anyone who lives close to the site where we will be working continuously from Friday night until Monday morning.

“We appreciate your patience while we deliver this important addition to the area’s transport infrastructure.”