BUSINESSES in a tourist spot have warned of a "catastrophic" impact on local firms if the operation of a steam train in the area remains suspended.
West Coast Railways was issued a six-week ban on its licence by Network Rail and ordered to make a series of improvements after one of its trains ran through a red light.
The Lancashire-based firm has been given until May 15 to make the changes - four days after the Jacobite, which runs between Fort William and Mallaig, is due to start trips for the summer season.
The Jacobite runs across the Glenfinnan viaduct on its route, a scene made famous from its appearance in the Harry Potter film franchise.
Michelle Milligan, owner of the Steam Inn bar-bistro in Mallaig, said the revenue brought in by passengers on the Jacobite steam train sustained many businesses in the area.
She said she employed 22 staff at the height of the summer, but would have to lay off 12 if the suspension were to eat into the season, with some other businesses even closing as a result.
She said: "We need the steam train to keep ourselves going for the winter, being a small village. It is catastrophic.
"We have 11 eateries in Mallaig and Cameron Mackintosh has just built a multi-million pound development down at the shore-front on the pier, hopefully to attract the steam train people. So it's going to affect everybody.
"We rely on the steam train to keep us going through the summer and through the winter, so there would be absolutely no profit."
A Network Rail spokesman said: "Network Rail has issued a suspension notice to West Coast Railway Company Limited (WCR) as a result of ongoing safety concerns.
"This decision has not been taken lightly: safety will always be our number one priority. We have set out a number of actions to address the safety concerns raised and will continue to work with WCR to ensure their services can run safely in future."
West Coast Railways assured customers that it was trying to get the suspension lifted.
On its Facebook page, it said: "West Coast Railways are working hard to reverse the current suspension imposed by Network Rail by fully satisfying their concerns.
"Passengers booked to travel with West Coast Railways and on their associated trips should not be concerned.
"If necessary, West Coast Railways will charter the service of another licensed operator using the same traditional carriages and trips will be unaffected, but West Coast Railways hope this won't be necessary and trust any issues will be resolved to the satisfaction of Network Rail."
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