No trains to call at Altnabreac for the foreseeable future

[yorksrob]

They could be housed in a hut next to a level crossing somewhere near Woomera, much more remote than Altnabreac.

Yes, that place has a history !

 

[mirodo]

Station closure row couple hit back at ‘nutty neighbours’ tag

A couple called “nutty neighbours” after being at the centre of a dispute that closed the UK’s most remote railway station say they feel bullied and harassed after “lies” were spread about them.


Ian Appleby and his wife Liz Howe were accused by the previous owners of the station house of ranting at Network Rail workers at Altnabreac in Caithness, using biblical quotes and chaining themselves to a gate to deny access.


They deny some of the claims being made and insist that conflicts with the rail companies pre-date their arrival and lay the blame on the previous owners, Tammy and Darren Bruce.

Station closure row couple hit back at ‘nutty neighbours’ tag — The Times and The Sunday Times

A couple called “nutty neighbours” after being at the centre of a dispute that closed the UK’s most remote railway station say they feel bullied and harassed after “lies” were spread about them. Ian Appleby and his wife Liz Howe were accused by the previous owners of the station house of ranting...

apple.news

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Station closure row couple hit back at ‘nutty neighbours’ tag

Station closure row couple hit back at ‘nutty neighbours’ tag — The Times and The Sunday Times

A couple called “nutty neighbours” after being at the centre of a dispute that closed the UK’s most remote railway station say they feel bullied and harassed after “lies” were spread about them. Ian Appleby and his wife Liz Howe were accused by the previous owners of the station house of ranting...

apple.news

Bullied and harassed!

A bit like people may have felt when they were confronted by locked, blocked and persons chained to gates when trying to go about their lawful business.

What goes around comes around. We all need to get on with each other as best we can. I am sure there were other isolated properties in the highlands, not next to a railway station, which could have been bought.

If the couple do own the station platform or its access (I really do doubt it, at least without access rights granted over it at the time of initial disposal) and / or the level crossing (ditto), and / or access routes (ditto) then the couple surely could / should have got themselves an interim interdict to prevent access by Network Rail, BT, forestry contractors or whomever to prevent them doing whatever. The fact that they haven't done so could simply be down to affordability of lawyers, being responsible only to a higher authority, or simply they wouldn't be granted one as they have no legal basis to get one.

It would be interesting to know which of the 'some claims' they accept and deny, in an itemised list format!

 

[3RDGEN]

Given NR/ScotRail haven't resolved this by a legal route as yet and EE went to the trouble of using an helicopter for their work it gives the impression this couple do have some legal standing to their complaint(s) and perhaps they know it. If this was simple obstruction then BTP or Police Scotland should have acted before the station had to be temporary closed, it's only two people after all.

 

[glasgowniteowl]

So looking at the property on the scottish land registry it shows the property outlined in a greenish line, as you can see the majority of the property is shaded pink but there is a blue line running through the property, this is presumably the road,

now if the property was owned and no access rights at all then this blue area would not exist,

as it does exist that means the land registry believe that there is some form of access right over that section of the property, as to what that entails that would be contained on the deeds/burdens of the property for clarity it could mean a variety of things from full access to only pedestrian only access

And also what looks like the access to the station appears outwith their property completely

 

[ConnectingDots]

The article by The Northern Times

'We won't be bullied out of our home', say Altnabreac couple​

covers much more of the story than that posted by The Times. The Times story is misleading and not reporting the full story.

EXCLUSIVE: We won't be bullied out of our home, say Altnabreac couple

The couple at the centre of a dispute that saw Scotrail temporarily close Altnabreac railway station say they feel "bullied and harassed".

www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk

It would be interesting to know which of the 'some claims' they accept and deny, in an itemised list format!

These are some of the answers from them in the Northern Times

Mr Appleby told the Caithness Courier: "We do not support the closure of Altnabreac Station. Scotrail never contacted us and if they had done we would have wholeheartedly objected to the closure.

"We are customers of ScotRail and Highland Railcard holders and want to use them."

The Applebys said that conflicts with the rail companies pre-date their arrival at Altnabreac and lay the blame on the Bruces. "When we first moved in we were made aware of a 'long and bitter land dispute' between [them] and ScotRail and Network Rail. This is well known locally.

Mr Appleby said he had spoken with ScotRail's station area manager who allegedly told him about "an exchange of legal correspondence" between the Bruces and ScotRail regarding an access agreement.

The couple say that they don't shout at people using the station and have in fact "cooked dinners for people stranded in the snow". They pointed out a YouTube video on the channel 'Clive travel and trains' showing the vlogger alighting at the station and walking around the area. "We offered and gave him a cold drink," said Mr Appleby.

The Applebys added that they are happy living at Altnabreac and that "God has blessed us with our home".

 

[GusB]

Here's the link to the above-mentioned article:

EXCLUSIVE: We won't be bullied out of our home, say Altnabreac couple

The couple at the centre of a dispute that saw Scotrail temporarily close Altnabreac railway station say they feel "bullied and harassed".

www.northern-times.co.uk

The couple at the centre of a dispute which saw ScotRail temporarily close Altnabreac railway station say they feel "bullied and harassed" after "lies" were spread about them.

Ian Appleby and his wife Elizabeth have been accused by the previous owners of their home – Tammy and Darren Bruce – of ranting at Network Rail workers using biblical quotes and chaining themselves to a gate to deny them access.

The Applebys deny the allegations and say the dispute over access began before they bought the home.


Mr Appleby said: "We do not support the closure of Altnabreac Station. Scotrail never contacted us and had they done so we would have wholeheartedly objected to the closure.

"We are customers of ScotRail and Highland Railcard holders and want to use it."

The Applebys said the conflicts with the rail companies predated their arrival at Altnabreac and put the blame on the Bruces.

"When we first moved in we were made aware of a 'long and bitter land dispute' between [them] and ScotRail and Network Rail. This is well known locally," said Mr Appleby.

"We were made aware by ScotRail staff that access to the station had been denied for two years. ScotRail didn't close the station during that period."

Mr Appleby said he had spoken with ScotRail's station area manager who allegedly told him about "an exchange of legal correspondence" between the Bruces and ScotRail regarding an access agreement.

"We decided to continue the interruption of access to the station when Network Rail and ScotRail became contentious with us," stated Mr Appleby, who claims that workers had damaged his property and dug holes without permission.

"One of the holes was in our front garden and it was four feet deep – I had to fill it back in myself," he said.

Mr Appleby claims that Network Rail dug this hole outside his property without consulting him.Mr Appleby claims that Network Rail dug this hole outside his property without consulting him.
With regard to the incident in March, when it was alleged that one of them had chained themselves to a gate at the railway crossing, they claim that this did not happen.

"We never chained ourselves to a gate. I did put a chain on the gate. I had travelled to Thurso on the train this day." He adds that rail officials present on the day can confirm this. "The image showing the vehicles parked at the gate is [from] a CCTV camera on the front gate into the estate that Bruce and the gamekeepers use."


The couple say that they don't shout at people using the station and have in fact "cooked dinners for people stranded in the snow". They pointed out a YouTube video on the channel 'Clive travel and trains' showing the vlogger alighting at the station and walking around the area. "We offered and gave him a cold drink," said Mr Appleby.

They also state that they have never hindered postal deliveries and even helped get a Royal Mail vehicle out of a ditch during a period of heavy snow last winter.

"This bullying campaign against us is just not right and the whole name calling 'nutty neighbours' is beyond belief. The lies being spread about us are harmful."

Mr Appleby said that "certain ScotRail train drivers" have now started honking horns very loudly late in the evening as they pass their house which is adjacent to the track. "We get woke up most nights now and believe this is malicious, it only has just started happening. The drivers have never beeped the horn at this time before."

The Applebys say they moved to the area for "peace and quiet" and though they enjoy their privacy state that they have "supported the local shops and community from day one".

They think the comments about them ranting biblical quotes have been taken out of context and that their Christian faith is important to them. They also claim that many people using the station have commented on how tidy and well kept it looks. "It was like a scrapyard when we moved in but that's an entirely different story."


Mr Appleby shared the number of a close neighbour who wished to remain anonymous but told us that the description of the couple from recent news articles is "nothing like" his knowledge of them.

The neighbour went on to say that he doesn't recognise them "as the sort of nutters" portrayed in the national media and that some of the issues could be related to the misinterpretation of title deeds and who owns which area of land around the cottage. "It is my opinion they've been unfairly treated."

The Applebys added that they are happy living at Altnabreac and that "God has blessed us with our home".

ScotRail was contacted but gave no further updates to its previous statement in which it said that from November 12 its trains would temporarily not call at Altnabreac "due to the inability to safely access the station".

 

[yorksrob]

Its interesting to get the couple's perspective, however fundamentally the article doesn't refute that they are blocking access to the railway for maintenance.

Although it has to be said, if the previous owner was also obstructing maintenance, the situation should have been dealt with then.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Mr Appleby said that "certain ScotRail train drivers" have now started honking horns very loudly late in the evening as they pass their house which is adjacent to the track. "We get woke up most nights now and believe this is malicious, it only has just started happening. The drivers have never beeped the horn at this time before."

It is normal practice to sound the horn when passing through a station non-stop - which they are now having to do.

 

[Fatboyslim]

It’s a fascinating story going on there. And there has to be more to this than meets they eye. But, a quick search on this forum makes reference to a “Scary human nutter” on 30/05/2014. Who on earth would buy a place like this, and who was it?

 

[The Puddock]

The "Scary human nutter" is Darren Bruce who is mentioned as a 'Businessman' in the recent news articles who is accusing the new occupants of being 'Nutty Neighbours'. Darren Bruce & Tammy Connor lived at Station House, Altnabreac between 2014 to 2021. Darren Bruce was very well known to be running a unlicensed scrap yard at Station House. If you type "Stuart Young Altnabreac" into Google search you will see the news story by John O'Groat Journal which will tell you why they moved out of Station House. I can't add the link for some reason?

The headline to the story is "Relatives desperate for answers"

Here is a link to said article with the paywall removed:

Relatives desperate for answers almost four months after man was crushed to death in Caithness

Relatives desperate for answers almost four months after man was crushed to death in Caithness

---

By Alan Hendry

Published: 08:00, 28 July 2021

---

Relatives of a man who was crushed to death in Caithness say they are desperate for answers almost four months on from the tragic accident.
It is understood that Stuart Young (63) was helping a friend to load scrap vehicles onto a trailer in the Altnabreac area in early April when he suffered fatal injuries.
Originally from Glasgow, Mr Young had been living in Thurso for about 15 years and was described as a well-loved person by family members who want to know the full circumstances of what happened.

Police say they are carrying out enquiries alongside the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Mr Young's sister, Moira McFarlane (60), who lives in Glasgow, said: “We just want the right answers. We can't fathom it out.”

​

She and her younger brother, Stephen Young (62), along with Stuart's partner, Cathy Wilson (62), travelled to Altnabreac soon after the accident which occurred on April 3.

“Stuart was one of the nicest people you could have met," Mrs McFarlane said. “The police were lovely and they knew how devastated we were.”
Mr Young had experienced mental health issues and had difficulties with his mobility. He had overcome a drink problem and had become a committed member of St Peter's and St Andrew's Church in Thurso.
“Stuart had demons, but had got by most of his demons and was a church-goer," Mrs McFarlane said. "He hadn't drunk for something like 10 years.
"The minister was very nice and said Stuart was a very well-liked person. They all loved him to bits. I hope we get answers.”

Stephen Young, who lives in Erskine, near Glasgow, said: "People in Thurso couldn't have done any more for my brother.
“If you'd met my brother you would be rolling about with laughter. He had the gift of the gab and was great with people – he was a people person.

"If you speak to anyone in Thurso who knew our Stuart they'll tell you what he was like. I just feel robbed.
“We just want to know the truth and then me and my sister can move on. Nothing is going to bring my brother back."

Ms Wilson said: “I've been married before and Stuart taught me so much that somebody out there can love you.
“He made me so happy. My kids and grandkids loved him so much.
"We want to know exactly what happened."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8.20pm on Saturday, April 3, 2021, officers were called to a report of a worker injured at a premises in Altnabreac.
“Emergency services attended and the 63-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Enquiries into the incident are being carried out alongside the Health and Safety Executive. A report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive said: “HSE is investigating this fatality and will be preparing a report for the procurator fiscal when that investigation is complete.”
Mr Young was buried in Glasgow.

 

[ConnectingDots]

Here is a link to said article with the paywall removed:

Relatives desperate for answers almost four months after man was crushed to death in Caithness

Ah great, thank you!

 

[3RDGEN]

It is normal practice to sound the horn when passing through a station non-stop - which they are now having to do.

Altnabreac is a request stop and with only 300 passengers a year most trains will have been passing through non-stop for many years, maybe drivers are now sounding the horn for the nearby crossing more rigorously to avoid any possible complaints of inadequate warning been made against them.

The noise complaint is a little odd as the first passenger train passes around 07:15 and the last one at 21:50 so hardly unsociable hours for the horn to be sounded, there are only 8 regular passenger trains a day anyway. If the proposed timber trains ever start running they would probable operate at less acceptable times.

 

[yorksrob]

Here is a link to said article with the paywall removed:

Relatives desperate for answers almost four months after man was crushed to death in Caithness

It sounds like the previous owners have some issues with the Health and Safety Executive. There are established ways to investigate and punish industrial accidents where necessary.

This thread is about maintenance access to the railway being blocked. Are we saying that the previous owners are the ones blocking access ?

 

[nw1]

I struggle to see the concerning element to this, per the local interest Facebook group. It is a request stop that sees fewer than 300 passengers a year. Why keep it open?

Why not?

There's a problem, you don't just give in and close the station. You deal with the problem.

 

[The Puddock]

This thread is about maintenance access to the railway being blocked. Are we saying that the previous owners are the ones blocking access ?

The dispute has been going on for several years, the previous owner (Mr Bruce) kicked it off and it seems the current owners are set on continuing it.

 

[Gathursty]

Is the power to compulsary purchase property/land thing in Scottish law? It shouldn't need to come to this but it seems living in this specific place brings out the worst in people. Maybe repurpose the property as a shared purpose facility for the Flow Country RSPB, the timber workers and NR instead of being out in the elements sat in a trackside bothy, a works vehicle or a tent.

 

[Killingworth]

⁷

The dispute has been going on for several years, the previous owner (Mr Bruce) kicked it off and it seems the current owners are set on continuing it.

Methinks we don't yet know the full true story and are relying on reports that are slanted for reasons we may never fully find out. It may be revealed in time if and when a case or cases reach court.

I find it amusing rhat Scotrail appear to be attempting to grit a platform that sees 300 passenger entries and exits a year. If they can get to such a remote platform in icy weather without grit I'd have thought they could get to the train. Economics of the mad house.

 

[The Puddock]

Methinks we don't yet know the full true story and are relying on reports that are slanted for reasons we may never fully find out. It may be revealed in time if and when a case or cases reach court.

I know the background to this and what has been happening. You're right, though, it's unlikely to become public knowledge until/unless it comes to court.

 

[yorksrob]

The dispute has been going on for several years, the previous owner (Mr Bruce) kicked it off and it seems the current owners are set on continuing it.

Indeed. As I mentioned earlier, it needs to be nipped in the bud.

 

[ConnectingDots]

Relatives desperate for answers almost four months after man was crushed to death in Caithness

Relatives of a man who was crushed to death in the Altnabreac area say they are desperate for answers almost four months on from the tragic accident.

www.johnogroat-journal.co.uk

The dispute has been going on for several years, the previous owner (Mr Bruce) kicked it off and it seems the current owners are set on continuing it.

Do you know what kicked it off?, i noticed on another post that you said you had some background knowledge.

 

[Fatboyslim]

I do notice from looking at pictures of the station and it’s platform, it doesn’t look like the ‘normal’ station where the house has been sold off. You’ve got the platform then a grassy area, then the property. Most have the property fenced off. If the boundary line is the property - cannot some sort of fence be erected by NR? And is that why the owners are saying the platform is theirs?

I suppose a six foot palisade fence might be overkill..?

Lastly there is another video on YouTube of some lads going to the station, quite clearly midway through the video on the platform there are raised voices, and a break in filming. And the next thing the video re starts away from the station. I haven’t noticed the date in the video, again something clearly happened.

 

[Fatboyslim]

I’ll be honest I don’t know how to do the linky thing. But, just go on YouTube and type in “Altnabreac station, and getting there.” It isn’t a long video, clearly when the lads are in the platform you can hear raised voices and what appears to be a confrontation. And the filming resumes on the way back. It was filmed 3 years ago.

 

[bspahh]

I’ll be honest I don’t know how to do the linky thing. But, just go on YouTube and type in “Altnabreac station, and getting there.” It isn’t a long video, clearly when the lads are in the platform you can hear raised voices and what appears to be a confrontation. And the filming resumes on the way back. It was filmed 3 years ago.

Do you mean this one? Its from 2020.

I can't make out what is being said, but it doesn't sound like an argument to me.

 

[Fatboyslim]

There is clearly a voice and the filming abruptly stops. And if you look at the comments, there are a couple from the same person asking to show the full video…

 

[Darandio]

And if you look at the comments, there are a couple from the same person asking to show the full video…

And if you then look at the profile of the person making those comments it's clear they are the person discussed in this thread.

 

[bramling]

And if you then look at the profile of the person making those comments it's clear they are the person discussed in this thread.

Does anyone know what is *actually* going on with this whole saga? There seem to be so many theories floating around that, having read the thread several times, I am completely lost as to what the issue is.

The only comparable case seems to be Llangunllo on the Central Wales, where access to the station is through the grounds of the station house, whose owners do seem to be known to take steps to “discourage” people from using the station. Not hostile, more nuisance value.

There’s also Acton Bridge. Is that saga still going on? Haven’t heard of any trouble there for a while now.

I guess in both cases it just isn’t a priority for the powers that be as neither station is well used and both are well off the beaten track.

This sort of thing really gets my back up. Why on earth do people buy a house on or next to a railway station, then get the hump when they find staff or the general public using the place?

 

[nw1]

Does anyone know what is *actually* going on with this whole saga? There seem to be so many theories floating around that, having read the thread several times, I am completely lost as to what the issue is.

The only comparable case seems to be Llangunllo on the Central Wales, where access to the station is through the grounds of the station house, whose owners do seem to be known to take steps to “discourage” people from using the station. Not hostile, more nuisance value.

There’s also Acton Bridge. Is that saga still going on? Haven’t heard of any trouble there for a while now.

I guess in both cases it just isn’t a priority for the powers that be as neither station is well used and both are well off the beaten track.

This sort of thing really gets my back up. Why on earth do people buy a house on or next to a railway station, then get the hump when they find staff or the general public using the place?

Exactly. Landowners should absolutely not have the right to "discourage", let alone block, legitimate access to a station for either passengers or rail workers.

Haven't heard of the Llangynllo issue (I presume Llangynllo and Llangunllo are the same place) but if they too are "discouraging" use then, to be quite frank, they need to be threatened with prosecution.

Looking at the map, Llangynllo/Llangunlo looks like a very appealing station for countryside walks.

The whole thing - apparent inflated rights for landowners - seems to hark back to the feudal system. In my time when walking in the countryside I have also encountered multiple instances of landowner arrogance, particularly when you complain to them about obstruction of public footpaths by barbed wire or electric fences.

People should have the right to go about their legitimate business in the countryside without being threatened or obstructed by landowners.

 

[ConnectingDots]

Is the 'kiosk' the problem or the condition of the platform? If the former, surely the stop can be compulsory for the time being or the old fashioned method used ( I.e. a hand). Or are passengers being threatened too?

The BBC has reported a statement from Scotrail saying the kiosk is the reason for closing the station.

https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=cb1abfa53f0ddaa0JmltdHM9MTcwMDk1NjgwMCZpZ3VpZD0yYjZmYzQ0NC0xMzAwLTY3NjEtMGNjNS1kNzk2MTIyNzY2M2QmaW5zaWQ9NTE5MA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=3&fclid=2b6fc444-1300-6761-0cc5-d7961227663d&psq=bbc+news+altnabreac+raymond&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYXJ0aWNsZXMvYzgwODdueDVlZDVv&ntb=1

Scotrail said "It had been unable to carry out critical maintenance for a kiosk at Altnabreac due to the inability to safely access the station safely

There's not even a kiosk at Altnabreac, Scotrails statement is false. How could you do maintenance on something not even there?

 

[greatkingrat]

It says "for a kiosk", not "of a kiosk", which implies the issue is they can't install the kiosk in the first place.