Controversial plans to cut vital rail services from the north-east of Scotland have been scrapped.
The train company CrossCountry has now withdrawn a proposed timetable that would have resulted in four of the six services operating between Aberdeen and Edinburgh cut from December 2017.
The move comes after a consultation held by the company, and representations from Scottish Government Transport Minister Humza Yousaf.
Mr Yousaf said: “I’m very pleased that the Department for Transport and CrossCountry Trains have seen sense and withdrawn this proposed timetable.
“It was very clear that the proposals would have had a detrimental impact on rail travel in the north-east of Scotland, reducing connectivity and capacity, and put unwelcome pressure on the network.
“These services fill important timetable gaps and act as a main commuter route to and from Edinburgh and beyond.
“I was not prepared to let this crucial business and social links disappear, and that is why I raised the matter personally.
“We have now secured a continuing, cross-border rail link for people in the north-east and will continue to work with the Department for Transport to ensure the continuity of that service in the future.”
Concerns were also voiced by north-east politicians.
North-east MSP Lewis Macdonald said: “This is excellent news.
“Credit must be given to CrossCountry for listening to the public’s concerns – which is an approach I believe should be adopted by more train companies in the UK.
“These train links are vital not just for business, but for families, and students travelling to and from the north-east of Scotland to universities down south.”