A deal in principle has been agreed that will see the current road to rail diversion on the A890 at the Stromeferry bypass remain open to motorists for longer periods of time.
A new system, agreed between Network Rail and the Office of Rail and Road, will see the installation of fixed signals and a magnet warning system as part of a newly agreed operations document.
Work to install the alternative signalling system are due to begin next week.
Ian Blackford MP said: “I am delighted to learn that following constructive talks, adjustments to operations at the site of the closure look likely to go ahead, in the expectation that this will ease the dreadful waiting times that we have consistently seen at the site.
“This has the potential to be great news and work now must be put in place to make these plans a reality. I would like to put on record my gratitude to Network Rail for listening to concerns.
“I hope now that we can move forward from what has been an extremely trying situation for local communities.”
Under the new system, trains will stop at agreed points where the driver will communicate with a signaller on the site of the current bypass works. Trains will only proceed when instructed, resulting in the current diversion remaining operational for longer to motorists wishing to access the vital transport link.
Robert MacInnes, who has been campaigning locally for a better solution to the current disruption, said: “We are finally starting to see major progress which is great.
“If this change goes ahead, it means the end of the huge queues and long closure times which will be warmly welcomed by the community.
“Our local elected members have been fantastic and this latest revelation is testament to their hard work.”
