Nuclear body backs £15m Scots Highland rail link

The UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) has backed a £15m proposal for a railway link across the Dornoch firth to the far north of Scotland.

By cutting straight across the firth, the Dornoch Rail Link would slash rail journey times across the Highlands, bringing economic benefits to the far north.

The UKAEA voiced its support for the economic benefits of the proposed link in its submission to the Scottish government consultation on new transport projects.

The link is being campaigned for by the Dornoch Rail Link Action Group, which supports the firth link as a key element of the strategic upgrade of the Inverness-to-Thurso/Wick line.

It says that a 2004 Corus prefeasibility has estimated that the link could cut the journey from Inverness to Thurso/Wick by around an hour.

“This will revolutionise rail transport across the North Highlands, give a major boost to the local economy and provide alternatives to road transport not currently realised,” said the group.