Facelift Plan for Potter Rail Halt

A Remote Highland railway station made world famous when it was featured in the Harry Potter films is lying in a sad state not suited to its star status, according to a report.

But now, a bit of magic could be sprinkled over the halt at Arisaig on the west Highland line between Fort William and Mallaig that could result in the station beginning a new lease of life.

A report from Frank Roach, railway adviser for the north transport partnership Hitrans, states: “Arisaig station is associated the world over with Harry Potter, yet has that forlorn, uncared-for air. There is an opportunity for Hitrans at nominal cost to support its development on a trial basis for the benefit of rail services in the area and the local community.”

He said the Highland Railway Partnership (HRP), which has now merged with Hitrans, identified Arisaig four years ago as a station requiring some attention. Waiting facilities were deemed inadequate and the area was an informal gathering place for local youths. In particular, the building was at risk.

Some renovation has already been carried out but it is proposed that Hitrans takes on the lease of the vacant parts of the building on a year-by-year basis to facilitate the establishment of a cycle- hire business at Arisaig encouraging active travel in the area.

Several meetings have been held with Alan Brownridge, who has set up a mobile cycle-hire operation, Cycles2U, in the area. He is interested in taking over the former goods shed on the westbound platform to encourage people to cycle between stations but leave the hired bikes for collection by road and return to Arisaig.

This would be designed to develop local station business while not over-stretching on-train cycle capacity. Opportunities for the use of the remaining two rooms and toilet will be investigated.

HRP has funds from a legacy to put towards restoration of the signalbox.

Hitrans members meeting at Inverness Airport today will consider Mr Roach’s report and his recommendation that they take on the lease for an experimental one year period and identify further potential uses in order to enhance its transport function.

(c) 2008 Press and Journal, The Aberdeen (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.