Altnabreac couple in battle with Network Rail missed court dates 'due to lack of train services'
Liz Howe and Ian Appleby reside within the former Station House, nestled on the platform at Altnabreac railway Station.
The railway station is deep in the countryside of Caithness, more than 20 miles south of Thurso.
The couple has been embroiled in a dispute with rail operators over access to the remote station, prompting a civil suit.
It is understood that the homeowners have been accused of preventing rail workers from accessing the platform to perform basic maintenance.
The dispute ultimately prompted the suspension of services to Altnabreac for almost 18 months, from November 2023 until April 2025.
Three months on, the pair have revealed their civil action against rail operators was dismissed by Wick Sheriff Court after they failed to attend several hearings.
In a recent video uploaded to the couple's YouTube channel, titled Altnabreac Cover Up, the pair say they feel 'let down' by the court.
In the 30-minute clip, they explain how a lack of rail services to Wick left them unable to make the almost 50-mile round-trip.
Mr Appleby said: 'When they demanded that we attend the court hearing in person, we did make it known that that was very unreasonable, considering we had transport issues.
'We can't use the train, and we don't have transport at the moment, and we wouldn't be able to attend hearings, which are in Wick, which would have been an almost 50-mile round trip.
'It is just unreasonable.'
'We wanted a fair chance to give our evidence, and we wanted a fair chance to say what we wanted to say, but unfortunately, that's been completely denied to us.
'We do feel very let down, we do feel a little bit robbed by not having the chance to give our evidence…and say what we want to say.'
Howe added: 'We believe we were being punished for trying to tell the truth in the last hearing.'
A spokesperson for Network Rail said: 'We welcome the outcome of the recent legal proceedings in which the case against Network Rail was dismissed.
'We remain focused on delivering a safe and reliable railway for all our customers.'
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Press and Journal
2 days ago
- Press and Journal
Altnabreac couple in battle with Network Rail missed court dates 'due to lack of train services'
A couple blamed for the closure of the Highlands' most remote railway station say they have lost their civil suit against Network Rail after being unable to catch a train to court. Liz Howe and Ian Appleby reside within the former Station House, nestled on the platform at Altnabreac railway Station. The railway station is deep in the countryside of Caithness, more than 20 miles south of Thurso. The couple has been embroiled in a dispute with rail operators over access to the remote station, prompting a civil suit. It is understood that the homeowners have been accused of preventing rail workers from accessing the platform to perform basic maintenance. The dispute ultimately prompted the suspension of services to Altnabreac for almost 18 months, from November 2023 until April 2025. Three months on, the pair have revealed their civil action against rail operators was dismissed by Wick Sheriff Court after they failed to attend several hearings. In a recent video uploaded to the couple's YouTube channel, titled Altnabreac Cover Up, the pair say they feel 'let down' by the court. In the 30-minute clip, they explain how a lack of rail services to Wick left them unable to make the almost 50-mile round-trip. Mr Appleby said: 'When they demanded that we attend the court hearing in person, we did make it known that that was very unreasonable, considering we had transport issues. 'We can't use the train, and we don't have transport at the moment, and we wouldn't be able to attend hearings, which are in Wick, which would have been an almost 50-mile round trip. 'It is just unreasonable.' 'We wanted a fair chance to give our evidence, and we wanted a fair chance to say what we wanted to say, but unfortunately, that's been completely denied to us. 'We do feel very let down, we do feel a little bit robbed by not having the chance to give our evidence…and say what we want to say.' Howe added: 'We believe we were being punished for trying to tell the truth in the last hearing.' A spokesperson for Network Rail said: 'We welcome the outcome of the recent legal proceedings in which the case against Network Rail was dismissed. 'We remain focused on delivering a safe and reliable railway for all our customers.'
STV News
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- STV News
'Lessons must be learned' five years on from fatal train derailment
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Times
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Couple who ‘closed station' miss court due to lack of trains
A couple accused of closing one of Scotland's most remote railway stations say they have lost a legal case against Network Rail — because they could not catch a train to court. Liz Howe and Ian Appleby's home is situated on the platform of Altnabreac, a tiny stop deep in the Flow Country of Caithness. The pair face criminal charges over their actions during a complex dispute with Network Rail over access to tracks and platforms. Altnabreac is 30 miles west of Wick and about 115 miles north of Inverness JOHN LUCAS/GEOGRAPH They have been accused of routinely preventing railway workers from gaining access to the platform to perform basic maintenance, such as gritting before winter. ScotRail suspended services to and from the tiny request stop for more than a year because of the continuing row. And under its conditions Howe, a former police detective, and Appleby are not allowed to directly or indirectly 'approach, contact or or communicate with any train crew by any means', or attempt to do so. The couple sued Network Rail over their disagreement but their case was dismissed last month after they failed to attend several hearings at Wick sheriff court. The pair, in a series of YouTube videos, now say that they lost because there was no public transport from Altnabreac to Wick. Appleby said: 'They demanded that we attend the hearing in person. 'Considering that we have transport issues, we can't use the train and we don't have transport at the moment, and it is a 50-mile round trip to Wick, it is just unreasonable.' Howe added: 'We think we were being punished for trying to tell the truth.' Howe, in another video, claimed that she and Appleby had not attended the later hearings because they had lost confidence in the process. The couple had been representing themselves in their civil action against Network Rail. They are also acting as party litigants after being sued by the mobile phone provider EE after it also encountered problems accessing land near the couple's cottage. Hearings in that case were held using video-conferencing technology last week. A criminal case against the couple for trespassing on the line was due to call late this spring. This has been repeatedly delayed and is now scheduled for September. A path to the station has been periodically obstructed @EVERYSTATION/X The pair are accused of culpably and recklessly, and with utter disregard for the consequences, crossing barriers on to the level crossing at Altnabreac Station and on to the rail track while trains were approaching, to the danger of themselves and passengers and staff. The offence is alleged to have taken place last March. Howe and Appleby deny the charges. ScotRail resumed services to Altnabreac in April. Howe made headlines in 2020 when she was reported missing after 'turning to God'. She was eventually found safe and well in the Highlands after a UK-wide police hunt.
