Dual and Electrify the Highland Main Line

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Provide a fast, green rail network fit for the 21st century.

Two-thirds of the 118-mile Highland Main Line is still single track and is still not electrified – limiting capacity, slowing journey times and undermining reliability. Rail journey times to Inverness are poor compared to road. The Government proposes to spend £3bn dualling the A9 between Inverness and Perth, substantially reducing journey times by road – and hence further weakening the position of the railway for both passengers and freight. Given the ambition to dual the A9, for rail to compete on this corridor a ‘game changer’ is required. If dualling is good enough for road, it’s good enough for rail too.