Network Rail is carrying out the ongoing vegetation management project over an 8-mile section of the Wick line. Work began in June to clear both trees and vegetation from land adjacent to the railway in a bid to keep passengers safe and trains running efficiently whilst cutting risk lineside for neighbours.

To complete the work as safely as possible, Network Rail is putting a two-way traffic light system which will operate through the night from 9pm to 7am over 5 nights from Sunday the 4th to Friday the 9th of September. The traffic system will not involve roads or paths which are fully closed at the planned time.

Tree cutting will also be undertaken adjacent to the foot and cycle path as part of the project and will take place over a number of dates between Evanton and Skiach Services. The cycle path is part of the National Cycle Network Route 1 and will be fully open during the work with signage put in place to let cyclists and other path users know when work is being carried out on land adjacent to the cycle path.

Kirsty Armstrong, Scheme Project Manager for the vegetation clearance work said:

“Network Rail manages thousands of miles of trees and vegetation along the railway to ensure that everything which grows lineside is safe and does not cause delays to trains.

“Work has been ongoing in the area since June and it has been progressing well with minimal disruption. The next phase of this work brings us close to the road which means that we have to put in place overnight traffic management to continue to work safely.

“Similarly, we are working close to the path used by walkers and cyclists and so to avoid the need to close this completely, we will have signage in place to alert people to the work when it is happening and ask them to follow guidance to allow them to proceed safely through the area.

“We apologise for any inconvenience and thank people for their patience and cooperation as we carry out this work”

To find out more about the work, please visit: https://scotlandsrailway.com/managing-trees-and-vegetation-in-your-area

For anyone with questions or concerns regarding the work can get in touch with Network Rail’s 24hr National helpline on 03457 11 41 41.