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Train services disrupted after sea wall damaged

Network Rail Scotland Damaged sea wall near BroraNetwork Rail Scotland
Parts of a wall protecting a railway line in the Highlands have been washed away
  • A sea wall protecting a railway line in the Highlands has been badly damaged
  • Train services between Inverness and Wick have been affected
  • Network Rail Scotland said stormy weather and high tides had washed away several metres of the wall between Helmsdale and Brora
  • Engineers have been assessing the damage

A stretch of railway line in the Highlands has been shut after a sea wall was damaged by stormy weather and high tides.

Inverness to Wick train services have been affected by the closure between Brora and Helmsdale.

Network Rail Scotland said about 27m (88ft) of sea wall, in two separate sections, had been damaged in recent days.

It said one 18m (59ft) had been washed away, exposing the track foundations.

Network Rail Scotland Damaged sea wallNetwork Rail Scotland
The damage has closed a section of line between Helmsdale and Brora

Network Rail Scotland said engineers were investigating the damage and it would provide an update on a timescale for repairs later.

Sea surges and high tides also damaged North Berwick's harbour.

North Berwick Harbour Trust said the 400-year-old stone structure had been breached on Sunday by sea swells leaving a five-metre wide (16ft) gap.

The walkway partially collapsed in a further breach at high tide at 03:00 on Monday.

No-one was hurt and boats were moved on Sunday afternoon day to avoid damage overnight.