Inverness to Wick train service disruption continues

Floodwaters caused a drainage pipe under the line to burst on Monday morning

Train services between Inverness and Wick continue to be disrupted by a closure of the railway line in Caithness.

Floodwaters caused a drainage pipe under the line between Forsinard and Altnabreac to burst.

Part of the track bed and an embankment were washed away, forcing the closure of the line on Monday morning.

Network Rail Scotland and ScotRail hope it can be opened and normal services resumed on Thursday.

Network Rail Scotland said: "Our engineers have spent the last two days repairing the pipe, replacing the lost material and reinforcing the embankment with stone gabions.

"Ground conditions in the area have been very poor and have slowed down bringing machinery and materials to site."

The area involved is in the Flow Country, an expanse of peat bog and lochs. The railway stations at Forsinard and Altnabreac are among the most remote train stops in Britain.

Engineers have had to repair the pipe and the damaged embankment

Last week, two separate landslips near Wick caused a temporary disruption to services.

Also in the Highlands last week, services on ScotRail's Kyle of Lochalsh route were suspended temporarily twice in less than 24 hours.

A landslide near Inverness on Tuesday disrupted services until mid afternoon Wednesday.

Shortly after Network Rail workers cleared the line of tonnes of debris a lorry struck a railway bridge in Wester Ross.

Flooding has caused damage close to the railway line