Thousands of HGVs could be removed from vital network route under new environmental plans

The plans would see a new rail freight installation near the West Fraser wood panel manufacturing site, which would remove roughly 40,000 HGVs from travelling to the factory.

The plant, also dubbed the "cloud factory," is situated between Inverness and the airport, with the nearby junction seeing thousands of larger vehicles travel each year.

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The first trains are expected to arrive next year, but full expansion will take longer, with it estimated to be completed in 2028.

The planning application detailed: "Construction of a rail sidings yard including new rail sidings and connection to the main line, associated gantry crane (and/or reach-stackers), areas of hard standing, access road, vehicle parking, fencing, drainage, landscaping and associated infrastructure works and facilities."

The switch to railways forms part of the manufacturers' sustainability plans, with the move being introduced in two phases.

Under phase one, it hopes to remove 20,000 HGVs from the busy road with the intention of removing double the amount by 2028.

The plan would also help reduce CO2 emissions by around 9,000 tonnes as fewer HGVs would be able to pollute the region.

The council document added: "Overall, it is considered that the proposed development will not have a significant adverse impact, and indeed in terms of impact on climate change and the roads infrastructure, the development will see a key reduction in carbon emissions and HGVs on the road."

But West Fraser did note phase one could see an influx of HGVs on the roads as work on the railway line gets started, but once functional, it will still remove approximately 33,760 HGVs a year from the roads.

Councillors have shown great support for the measures, with the plan stating that the development could have "significant environmental benefits".

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Culloden and Ardersier councillor Morven Reid told the Press and Journal she was "pleased" with the plans and that "getting 20,000 HGVs off the road is a really good thing."

But Reid queried how the standard operating hours for the train schedule, which takes place on the weekend, would be too long and disruptive.

Instead, the councillor suggested keeping the standard hours of 7am to 7pm during the week, with a reduced effort on the weekend, with the train operating between 8am to 1pm on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Badenoch and Strathspey councillor Bill Lobban called the "whole thing a great idea" while also agreeing to change the hours.

He said, "I think it's just unacceptable that we would deliberately allow even one or two trains a day to be arriving at 8pm on a Saturday evening."

The council document explained that it welcomed the proposal given its potential for environmental benefits over time.

"Particularly in terms of reduced carbon emissions and other benefits of a reduction in the number of HGV journeys on the public road network," it stated.

"It is considered that the proposal accords with the principles and policies contained within the Development Plan and is acceptable in terms of all other applicable material considerations," the document detailed.