ENGINEERS were continuing to monitor the retaining wall of the railway between Madras Street and Nelson Street as we went to press on Tuesday 29th August. The cracks at either end of the wall can be clearly seen. The little metal markers are for the engineers to check any further movement in the wall.
RAILTRACK engineers have been much in evidence around the Madras Street/Nelson Street area, since the last weekend in August. It is understood that the alert was sounded by drivers who noticed a change of level on the track between the two Merkinch streets. It is thought that infill between the retaining walls may have collapsed somewhat over time, and the line has been under surveillance for some time. However, growing cracks can now be spotted in the embankment wall.
Now engineers are testing regularly round the clock for any further movement in the walls and to gauge the severity of the situation. Northbound trains at the weekend were advised by Railtrack to travel at a maximum of 5mph while they carried out monitoring of the line and as a result of this advice Scotrail are understood to have taken heavier traffic – passenger and freight – off that stretch of the line, though the Sprinter commuter trains to Beauly and Dingwall have still been running. There is meantime no word of when work will be done on the wall.