LISTEN: Culloden Community councillor has reservations about rail plans
New train station for the east of Inverness sounds like a good idea to David McGrath, but the implementation is another business altogether.
Transport plans to incorporate a rail stop-off on the outskirts of Inverness are being hailed as a potential enhanced link for the retail park, the UHI and Stoneyfield Business Park. However one local community councillor is cautious in his praise of the proposals.
David McGrath, chair of Smithton and Culloden Community Council says previous plans have been put forward before.
"There was plans for a stop on the south line at Resaurie, there was plans for a stop at UHI - which again didn't materialise - now we've these plans for a stop near the retail park"
Even if they do get the green light for a new station near the edge of Inverness, Mr McGrath feels they could be faced by a number of issues to tackle.
"I presume it'd be somewhere near the Snowgoose Public House, but either way, it'll throw up various problems"
"Who's going to pay for it - or is this a proposal from the Highland Daft Ideas Department?"
"When - or IF it's built - how will they access it? It'll need an overbridge or an underpass as I imagine it'd have to be disability friendly"
"Also, with the proposal for the prison at the back of the retail park, this'll add to the demand for the link"
Mr McGrath says there are several questions to be answered before they can start reaping the rewards of any such improvement to the city's infrastructure.
"Will this work? Will Network Rail agree to rescheduling? Will they need a north and south platform? Will there be a double track?"
The rail links are already being upgraded, with half-hourly peak trains to be scheduled by December 2018 between Inverness and Elgin.
"They've got a number of options and cost implications to look at before they even go ahead with this - which could be a good proposal don't get me wrong - IF they get it right, if they don't they're going to be laughed at"