Surveillance cameras are being installed at 51 railway stations across the Highlands – including some of the most remote stops in Scotland – to make them safer for passengers.
These previously un-monitored stations are being fitted with the equipment as part of a move to ensure that every ScotRail station in the country is covered by CCTV cameras.
Nine other stations in the region, including Inverness, are being fitted with additional cameras.
Most of the new cameras are now operational and ScotRail is hoping to have the rest up and running in the very near future.
However the train operator is unable to start work at six stations in the region until it gets listed building consent from Highland Council.
It has submitted applications for permission to carry out the work at the stations at Plockton, Spean Bridge, Duncraig, Kyle, Carrbridge and Newtonmore.
A ScotRail spokeswoman said: “We want our customers to feel safe and secure when travelling by train, and we’ve committed to installing CCTV at a further 78 stations throughout our franchise – meaning every ScotRail station in the country will be covered by CCTV.
“We’re pleased to confirm that 51 stations in the Highlands are included in this number, and most of these cameras are now operational.”
She added that it was a significant investment, but would not give the cost of the work, which she described as “commercially sensitive information”.
She said: “We work with the British Transport Police (BTP) to improve security at stations and on trains, including this investment in CCTV cameras.
“Over the next two years across our network we will also introduce 201 additional CCTV cameras at 46 car parks and 145 cycle storage locations and CCTV monitors displaying images from CCTV installed at station entrances of each of the 20 highest footfall stations, including Inverness.”
The train operator is also asking its customers to help by reporting any incidents immediately and alerting ScotRail or BTP to unaccompanied baggage or suspicious packages.
The spokeswoman said: “CCTV cameras at stations and our close partnership with the British Transport Police, help towards making our stations and trains as safe an environment as possible.”
