Fresh calls have been made to improve access at Insch Station amid fears residents have been “excluded” from using the railway.
Earlier this year, regional transport body Nestrans secured funding from Transport Scotland for a study to find out how best to improve accessibility at the site.
Bennachie Community Council (BCC) is now urging all residents of Insch to respond to their survey, which closes next week.
Chairwoman Sarah Robinson said: “Three options are being considered and the community council fears that cost will be the main deciding factor.
“Currently Insch Station is inaccessible to many with any type of physical disability, limited mobility or parents with pushchairs.
“Anyone carrying heavy luggage is also in for a real workout.”
As far back as 2015, residents have been pleading for disabled access at the station.
Mrs Robinson added that work ought to be taken so that Insch can compete with other north-east stations.
She continued: “We should not have to justify the need for a fully accessible solution, it is a legal requirement.
“Insch Station is one of, if not, the only station in the north-east which is not accessible.
“Extensive platform extension works have already been completed at Insch and now it makes sense for accessibility provisions on a par with new stations such as Kintore to be tackled.
“We know for sure that many people avoid using Insch station because of the access issues and this is clearly discriminatory.
“If people do not take this opportunity to send a strong message regarding accessibility many will continue to be discouraged or excluded from using the station.
“Finally, given that the Scottish Government has declared a global climate emergency one would think that maximising the use of public transport would be a priority.”
Councillor Peter Argyle, vice-chairman of Nestrans, added: “We believe that everyone should have equal access to the rail network, whether they have mobile difficulties, need to sue a wheelchair or wish to take children in a pushchair.
“This is a crucial piece of work to determine the untapped potential in and around Insch, and I would encourage members of the community to let us know their views.”
The survey can also be accessed directly at www.inschstationsurvey.co.uk and the drawings are available on the Nestrans website.
