Council to replace post services

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Highland Council said it has put in place interim arrangements to replace five post bus services which end on Friday.

The local authority said it was considering long-term services.

Post buses will be withdrawn from Diabaig-Achnasheen, Applecross-Torridon and Torridon-Strathcarron in Wester Ross.

Royal Mail, which runs the buses, will also cease operating far north routes of Thurso-Tongue and Bettyhill-Thurso.

On the north coast, the council has given support to the voluntary sector group Transport for Tongue so they can operate a community car scheme.

An existing bus contract has been increased so the Thurso-Bettyhill service will run five days a week. This includes a route extension to Tongue.

In Wester Ross, arrangements have been made with Lochcarron Garage for services to replace the Applecross to Torridon and Diabaig to Achnasheen post buses .

On the Shieldaig- Strathcarron route, the council says existing buses provide adequate alternatives. All of these new services start on Monday.