It’s a train service which has been closed for the last 50 years.
But now, an Aberdeenshire councillor has proposed reinstating the Formartine and Buchan railway from Dyce to a “park and ride station”, just north of Ellon, as he campaigns to bring the line back into use.
Regional transport body, Nestrans, has confirmed it is considering the option, while it looks to solve travel issues in the far north-east.
East Garioch councillor, Martin Ford, suggested the measure at a meeting of the organisation last week.
His proposal included the construction of a new railway station at Ellon, which would be incorporated into a park and ride to the north of the town, separate from its current transport interchange.
Democratic Independent and Green Group member, Mr Ford, pointed to the success of a similar park and ride station on the newly-reopened Borders Railway at Tweedbank.
He said: “The Borders line experience suggests it is well worth looking at replicating the model of re-opening to a terminus that provides a convenient park-and-ride facility for the area beyond.
“For the Buchan line, that could mean continuing the railway to a station just beyond Ellon which is easily accessed from the north by bus and car.
“I believe there is a good case for re-opening at least the southern part of the Buchan railway, but it’s crucial to identify the option with the best benefit-cost ratio to maximise the chances of getting the go-ahead.”
An appraisal has been undertaken to investigate transport improvements in the Fraserburgh and Peterhead to Aberdeen corridor.
Other popular ideas include dualling the A90 Aberdeen to Fraserburgh road north of Ellon.
Co-chairman of Nestrans, Liberal Democrat councillor Peter Argyle, intimated that the suggestion – though yet to be officially endorsed by Nestrans – would “fit into” the wider study.
He added: “It is part of the discussion and I suppose it is good to have ideas coming forward. I think there is a huge amount of work to be done before anything can be decided one way or another.
“Yes, I think it (the Buchan railway) has the potential to be an enormous benefit. But the big, $100m question, if you like, is whether a business case can be made and whether it is strong enough to convince Transport Scotland it should be supported.
“It will all depend on that business case.”
The former Buchan railway connected passengers from Aberdeen to Newmachar, Ellon, Peterhead and Fraserburgh until its closure in 1966.
