 There were no services to Inverness railway station for almost three days |
The suspension of strikes planned by signal workers in Scotland from Friday has been welcomed in the Highlands. The region was cut off in terms of railway services last week, with no trains running north from Stirling.
Simon Cole Hamilton, of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said the pressure was on Network Rail and the RMT union to make sure it was not repeated.
The chief executive said businesses had suffered as a result of last week's industrial action.
Mr Cole Hamilton said: "This came at a time when we are being told to come off the roads and on to rail but the only chance of getting more people to do that is if we have a safe and reliable service.
Alternative transport
"There will be some real major annoyance if there is a repeat of last week and it is up to the two parties to sort this out."
He said it was a relief that the strikes had been suspended.
Last week, northern routes affected were from Inverness to Aberdeen, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Wick, Thurso and Kyle of Lochalsh.
Bus firms offered alternative public transport and extra vehicles were put on standby in Inverness along with additional seats on local services in the Highlands.
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