A business owner has hit out at rail bosses after they advertised an eight-day closure of a remote Perthshire train station with no alternative transport links.
ScotRail put up a sign at the Rannoch station explaining all trains would be cancelled between October 5 and 13 and stating that “no alternative road transport is available during this time.”
Scott Meikle, owner of Moor of Rannoch Restaurant and Rooms, has now criticised the rail company for its lack of communication on the closure.
He said the move would have a damaging effect on his business.
Scott said: “The sign was the first we heard of it.
“As a business we understand that work and maintenance needs to be done on the line but it has not been very well communicated and to not provide any other forms of transport is not a solution or compromise.
“About 70% if our business guests travel by train so it’s not good for business.”
He suggested ScotRail use the public transport system to transfer passengers to Pitlochry.
Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said the decision could have a massive knock-on effect for visitors to the area, especially walkers arriving in Rannoch expecting to get a train.
Mr Fraser said: “This will have a massive impact on residents, businesses and tourists in the Highland Perthshire area.
“I fully support the owners of the Moor of Rannoch Restaurant and Rooms who have said that communication should have been a lot better from ScotRail.
“The owners of the restaurant have said their biggest gripe with this decision is the lack of contingency plan from ScotRail and that is a major concern.”
The proposed closure of Rannoch station is so that Network Rail can carry out improvement works on the line.
ScotRail now say they have taken down the sign advertising the eight day closure and that no final decision has been made.
A spokesperson for ScotRail said: “This has been a bit of misinformation and the poster is being taken down.
“Our plans for Network Rail’s improvement works – which are still subject to change – are yet to be finalised.”
