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'Cloud factory' timber plant to get own rail yard

BBC A large industrial site near Inverness with smoke rising from a chimney. There are several different buildings including a large bright red warehouse.BBC
The new rail yard at Norbord could remove 20,000 HGV journeys from local roads

Plans for a new rail yard next to an industrial site on the outskirts of Inverness have been approved by Highland councillors.

The aim of the development is to reduce the number of HGVs travelling on the roads to deliver timber to the Norbord plant, known locally as the "cloud factory" because of steam that rises from a large chimney.

Owners West Fraser Europe Ltd plan to build new rail sidings, about 560m (1,837ft) in length, that would be connected to the Inverness to Aberdeen line.

The first trains are expected to arrive at the site by next year but the full expansion would not be completed until 2028.

West Fraser Europe Ltd said the plan would help give the wood panel manufacturing plant a sustainable future.

It is anticipated about 20,000 HGV movements would be removed from the road network in favour of transportation by rail.

CO2 emission reductions are predicted to be in the region of 9,000 tonnes.

Reporting by local democracy reporter Will Angus.