Aberdeenshire is set for a transport boost after the wheels were put in motion to start work on two major projects.
The new Kintore railway station venture is moving ahead, with Aberdeenshire Council exercising a compulsory purchase order for the land to provide a railway station with car parking and ancillary facilities.
The original building closed in 1964, but there has been increasing pressure for it – and the service – to be restored.
Plans to reopen the station were announced in December, 2012 and the work is due to be completed by July, 2019.
The Scottish Government has confirmed it will increase its share of investment in the £12.2million Kintore station from 50 to 60%, and provide £7million.
The remaining cost will be paid for by Aberdeenshire Council and North East Regional Transport Partnership (Nestrans).
Councillor David Aitchison, chairman of the authority’s infrastructure services committee, said: “Aberdeenshire Council and Nestrans will continue to work in partnership with the Scottish Government to ensure the project moves forward, unlocking substantial economic benefit to Kintore and wider Aberdeenshire
Now that the upgrading works for the whole Aberdeen to Inverness line is on an extended timescale, the opening date for Kintore station has been pushed back from 2018 to 2019.
The council also intends to expand Ellon Park and Ride “as soon as possible”, once a compulsory land purchase can be agreed, creating more parking spaces and bus stands in the town.
Ellon Park and Ride was launched in 2000 and is now among the most-used services in the region.
New proposals to expand the station include an increase of 99 extra car parking spaces and the creation of three new separate bus stands.
There are also plans to move the turning circle back – placing it closer to the A90 Aberdeen to Fraserburgh road.
However, work will not begin on the project until after a compulsory planning order has been agreed which is expected to be finalised in April.
Ellon councillor, Gillian Owen, stated: “This has been long-awaited and I have found it [the delay] frustrating. I look forward to the opening of the Park and Ride extension as soon as possible.”
