£170m station the key to improved Inverness Airport connectivity

Planning application lodged for first phase of Dalcross railway station plan.

Published 6th Oct 2016

Plans for the first phase of a new railway station at Inverness Airport have been lodged by HITRANS, the regional transport partnership for the Highlands and Islands.

The railway station will not only serve the regional airport with new Park and Ride facilities and additional parking space, but also the neighbouring Inverness Airport Business Park, new housing settlements, like Tornagrain and ease pressure on the busy A96 route.

The plans are for a single platform on the north side of the railway line between the Old Airport Access Road and a point to the west of the current Inverness Airport Access Road (the platform extends beneath the Inverness Airport Road).

Included the first phase of development will be car parking for 150 vehicles and Park and Ride facilities between the station and the airport terminal.

The design of the station will allow a second phase of development to include twin tracking of this section of the line and a second platform, which will allow hourly services from Inverness to Aberdeen and half hourly services from Inverness to Elgin as well as more commuter services into Inverness to allow sustainable travel alternatives.

The new railway station will be an important feature in plans to upgrade the Inverness to Aberdeen rail service with an investment of £170 million.