Scotland: Cars on rails to avoid 140-mile detour

[John Ashworth]

Cars on rails to end 140-mile detour in Wester Ross

BBC 6 January 2012 Last updated at 10:46 GMT

Road traffic could be allowed to travel along railway tracks to avoid an area where landslides have closed a road for more than two weeks.

Highland Council said it was an option being considered for the section of A890 Lochcarron to Kyle road.

In October 1990, traffic was allowed onto the nearby railway line after rockfalls in the same area.

The method uses railway sleepers and would end the need for motorists to make a 140 mile (225km) diversion.

The section of A890 in Wester Ross has been shut since 22 December.

More than 100 tonnes of rock came down on the Lochcarron to Kyle road at Stromeferry.

There was a further landslide a few days later.

The B9176 Struie road at Newbridge in Easter Ross has also been closed by a landslide since Tuesday.

Highland Council said the section of road would remain shut over the weekend.