Rail freight fears

The main railway line to Aberdeen looks likely to be out of action for two months (The Scots man ,29 August ). Replacement buses are being used for passengers but it is important that freight gets through also, as long-term contracts could be at stake.

This needs to lead to accelerating the provision of extra line capacity on the only other available route. Both the Aberdeen to Inverness and the Highland Main Line on to Perth are still mainly single - track lines with passing places. Both are at capacity.

Extra capacity is long overdue to make these lines work more efficiently and, following the declared climate emergency, to allow them to carry much more freight. Successful trials with timber and whisky-related traffic have already been carried out. Diversion of some of the Aberdeen freight is being squeezed in with some difficult y and has meant the cancellation of some Inverness to Elgin passenger trains and late running of others.

May we hope the programme for government to be announced tomorrow will sanction the start of such work? North- east and Highland economies depend on it.

R. J. ARDERN Drumdevan Road, Inverness