An Aberdeen MSP has backed plans for new railway stations in the south of the city.
Maureen Watt, MSP for Aberdeen South and North Kincardine, has written to transport secretary Michael Matheson, cabinet secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity to add her support for the funding of a feasibility study into new train stations in the region.
North-east transport body Nestrans has applied for £80,000 from the Scottish Government’s local rail development fund for a new study into the opening of stations in southern Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, focusing on Cove, Altens and Newtonhill.
Their bid cites the lack of current services in Aberdeen and high car usage as reasons among the need for additional stations across the city.
Kincorth, Nigg and Cove councillors Stephen Flynn and Alex Nicoll wrote to Mr Matheson earlier this week calling for a study into the proposals.
Ms Watt said: “I welcome Nestrans’s bid for funding and have written to Michael Matheson adding my support.
“I have supported the re-opening of Newtonhill train station for some time, and these stations would certainly be of considerable benefit for my constituents in Cove, Altens and Newtonhill.
“I am delighted to add my support alongside councillors Flynn and Nicoll and look forward to the cabinet secretary’s response.”