Network Rail has taken a major step forward by naming a contractor for the construction of a new £14.5 million station which will reconnect an Aberdeenshire community to the nation’s network for the first time in 56 years.
Bam Nutall has been appointed to build the new station at Kintore.
Funded by Aberdeenshire Council, Nestrans and Transport Scotland, the new station will have step-free access between platforms through a footbridge and lifts.
The station will come with 170 car parking spaces, bike storage, and connections to the local bus network.
Construction is expected to take place over the next 12 months and, if all goes to plan, passengers could be boarding a train from Kintore by May next year.
The original station opened in 1854, but was eventually closed in 1964.
The works are part of an overall Aberdeen to Inverness improvement project being carried out by the Scottish Government, designed to reduce journey times between the two cities.
Transport secretary, Michael Matheson, said: “Our continued rail investment is providing new infrastructure, improved rolling stock, increased capacity and the enhanced timetables to deliver more services on the Aberdeen to Inverness route.
“This will make rail a more attractive travel choice, helping encourage more people out of their cars and onto trains.”
Peter Argyle, the chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure committee, said: “We are pleased to see this important milestone reached, in order to secure benefits for the community of Kintore and surrounding area.”
