Greens look to deliver train services to communities north of Aberdeen
They've secured a commitment in their working agreement with the SNP to asses re-instating the line from Dyce to Ellon - and possibly extending to Peterhead and Fraserburgh.
Last updated 24th Aug 2021
The Scottish Green says they hope to deliver 'transformative' improvements to the railway north of Aberdeen.
As part of the party's working agreement with the SNP, the Government have promised to asses the viability of a "rail link between Dyce and Ellon and further North to Peterhead and Fraserburgh."
All of the towns were part of the beeching cuts to railways in the 60's, leaving their sizeable communities, and those in between, without the option of rail.
But in recent months candidates of all major parties in the region have backed, in some fashion, the Campaign for North East Rail group.
The collective, which contains various industry professionals, have presented their vision on how to reconnect the Buchan line - and also link Aberdeen to Banchory by train, but that part hasn't been mentioned in agreement documents.
It now looks more realistic than ever though, with the commitment to looking into laying tracks back down in writing from the government.
North East MSP, Maggie Chapman of the Greens told Northsound News:
"For too long, since the beeching cuts in the 60's, communities North of Aberdeen have been without a train service and it's high time that this was rectified.
"Peterhead is the largest town in the UK, the furthest from a train station - this has to change.
"There is no case where stopping at Ellon is a better option than taking the line all the way to Peterhead.
"And Fraserburgh is the second largest town without a rail connection, and the stops along that length could serve a population of thousands within half an hour."
The push for railway development in the region has received cross party support. SNP MSP's also requested that this was included in the working agreement.
Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin said:
“Since becoming an MSP in 2016 I have campaigned passionately for rail improvements – particularly from Dyce to Ellon. This is something that has unanimous backing from all MSPs regardless of their party.
"Most recently, Liam Kerr and I have worked together, meeting with the Transport Minister to pursue improved rail links.
"Local SNP MSPs and MPs have also made the case behind the scenes and we will continue to do alongside others from across the political spectrum to ensure we get better rail connectivity here in the north-east.”
North East region Scottish Conservative MSP Liam Kerr said:
"Improving North East rail goes hand in hand with meeting our net zero carbon obligations.
"It’s been a campaigning issue for the Scottish Conservatives here since 2016.
"This region has received less than 1% of the £200 million first promised in 2008 to improve the line from Aberdeen to the Central Belt.
"So the public will need convincing that this is more than a bare bones commitment.
"And it shouldn't have taken so many years to get to this early stage."
Chapman says she believes that not only will this investment provide more transport options - and more climate friendly options at that - to locals along the Buchan line, but that it could come at great benefit to the towns and villages.
She said:
"A decent, affordable and reliable rail connection along the Buchan Coast could be transformative.
"Not only will it reconnect communities but it could be the driver for regeneration of the towns.
"Providing a foundation for long-term economic sustainability for the area."
Jordan Jack is a train driver and part of the Campaign for North East Rail (CNER) group.
Speaking to Northsound News he said of the promise:
"It's really great to see that the Scottish Government and the Scottish Greens recognise the importance of a new rail connection the the North East.
"We'll be engaging with both parties, both Councils and NESTRANS to ensure that the railway reaches all the way to the coast."