Achi news desk-
Late last year West Coast Railways lost a high court challenge against the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), which had ordered it to install a central lock on the train’s hinged doors.
An exemption had previously been granted for the Jacobite Express, but was refused last year.
Businesses say the latest suspension came with little advance warning and has led to cancellations of orders, with Mallaig at the end of the line particularly hard hit.
Ms Forbes has called for a solution to be found as a matter of urgency, as well as encouraging people to visit the town on regular ScotRail services.
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He told The National: “This is an exception that has been put on an exceptional basis over the last few years and businesses are very conflicted because they think that ultimately we shouldn’t be dependent on one may or may not be big business. receive an exception at the last minute.
“That makes it a very uncertain environment to operate in.
“They would much prefer to have that guarantee and so it is incumbent on WCR and the ORR to recognize how effective this is and to find a solution for next year that does not rely on last minute changes that do not is a way of running. business, let alone manage a small town.
“This will have a huge impact unless we convey the message that Malaig is still open.
“Most businesses will tell you that their busiest points are when the steam engine comes in. The timetable used to allow hospitality businesses to serve lunch and dinner and the whole village was just sock-a-bloc with people.
“So this will have a huge impact. One business told me their business over Easter dropped by around 30%.
“The big challenge is that this comes at the same time as disruption to the ferry and many people see Malaig as a thoroughfare – people come by train and go by ferry. So when one of those paths is disrupted, it’s difficult, when both are, Malaig feels very calm.
“The key message that businesses want to put out is that Malaig is still open for business. ScotRail trains run to and from Malaig, they are very comfortable and ScotRail is trying to improve their marketing to remind people that there are other ways to travel. Malaig is beautiful, so go.”
