Plans for Aberdeen to Buchan rail links move forward
A sustainable transport study is looking at the prospect
It's been 58 years since a passenger service ran between Aberdeen and Buchan but plans to reinstate the historic line are edging closer.
The Scottish Government has awarded £250,000 from the Just Transition Fund to look at the prospect of the line returning.
The sustainable transport study will be carried out by AECOM and Stantec, who will explore the possibility of passenger and freight services running north of Dyce and onwards to Peterhead and Fraserburgh .
Jordan Jack, General Secretary of the Campaign for North East Rail (CNER) said: "Since the last study was published in 2016, much has changed from a policy perspective, specifically the focus on lower carbon transport and the Just Transition, both of which are crucial to the future competitiveness and subsequent prosperity the North East.
"However, several issues faced by businesses and communities are as valid today as they have been for decades. New railways directly address issues such as investment, social inclusion, modal shift and many others, as clearly demonstrated by Borders rail and the soon to open Levenmouth rail link.
"CNER believes that Fraserburgh and Peterhead — currently the two largest towns in the UK furthest from the rail network — stand to benefit hugely from reconnection to rail and this study serves to make the conclusive case for why this part of the North-east needs to be reconnected.
"This is the next step on the journey to making Peterhead, Fraserburgh and other communities in NE Aberdeenshire more connected, thereby making them better places than ever to live, work, and enjoy.
"We look forward to the upcoming public engagement and thank all our partners and stakeholders for getting the campaign to this important milestone, whose support and collaboration are invaluable."
Making a business case
Continuing, Chief Executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Russell Borthwick said: "Today marks a significant step forward in the campaign to reinstate rail to the towns and industrial heartlands of North-east Aberdeenshire.
"If we want to see our region’s economy firing on all cylinders, we need better transport links to major centres of industry and commerce such as Peterhead and Fraserburgh, joining up settlements of significant size and population along the way.
"The success of the reinstating the Borders railway and now the Levenmouth project in Fife shows what can be achieved with credible plans, a good business case and public support backed by local business communities. This is not pie in the sky.
"Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce is proud to share the vision for reconnecting Buchan to the UK-wide rail network, with the huge potential that brings for shifting freight, for commuters travelling across our region and for attracting more visitors to explore this fantastic corner of Scotland.
"But this isn’t an argument for rail over better road connectivity, we should have the ambition to aim for both. Other regions of Scotland are seeing multi billions of pounds committed to their public transport systems. This can be achieved at a fraction of that amount."