Cycle coaches to be hitched to trains to ease bike crush

Britain's first rail carriages reserved for bikes and outdoor equipment are to run on one of Scotland's busiest tourist lines from next summer, The Scotsman has learned.

The popularity of Highland routes with cyclists has been boosted by tourism accolades, TV documentaries and links to the Harry Potter films.

An extra coach is expected to be coupled to ScotRail trains to ease overcrowding on the West Highland Line between Glasgow, Oban, Fort William and Mallaig.

A similar experiment may be tried on lines between Inverness and Kyle of Lochalsh and Wick.

Transport minister Humza Yousaf said the Scottish Government’s Transport Scotland agency was finalising work with ScotRail to secure five single-carriage class 153 trains.

These will be reconfigured to accommodate cyclists and their bikes, and other outdoor sports fans and equipment.

Such changes to “maximise the experience and efficiency from a cyclist’s perspective” will be discussed with interested groups.

Mr Yousaf said: “It is our aspiration the first dedicated carriage for cyclists and other sports enthusiasts will enter service by summer next year. This unique initiative, a UK first, is supporting improved transport connectivity and active travel choices.

“It also brings benefits to local economies, tourism, the nation’s health and the environment.”