Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has commissioned a study into the range and scale of benefits that the rail network brings to the region.

Edinburgh-based consultants, Steer Davies Gleave, will be looking at the economic, social and environmental contribution that the rail network makes.  Passenger surveys will take place during August and September across all the lines that operate within the area.

Researchers will not only be carrying out extensive surveys with passengers, but will also be interviewing businesses in the area who use the railways to move freight

The study will look at all ScotRail services including the Fort William and Inverness sleeper services and the GNER service to London.

HIE's transport policy manager, Tom Matthew explained: "The last similar piece of work looking at the value of the railways to the Highlands and Islands was carried out in 1995.  This new research will update that work and also cover freight and environmental impacts in more depth.

"We hope that this piece of research, which should be completed by the end of the year, will provide us with a comprehensive picture of the value of the railways in our region."