The campaign to restore a rail link to two of the north-east’s biggest towns is gathering steam.
Councillors have urged Buchan residents to have their say on the Aberdeen Strategic Transport Study, which considers possible rail options.
Beginning next week, regional transport body Nestrans will host a series of public consultation events across Aberdeenshire.
Last night Peterhead councillor Stephen Smith said: “Local residents who want to see improved transport links from Peterhead to the south should seize this opportunity and make their views known.
“The massive increase in rail travel in the north-east in recent years, coupled with the strong support from the public for a rail link locally shows that re-establishment of a rail link to Buchan would not only be popular but would also open-up economic opportunities for the area.”
Mr Smith added that there is now “real momentum” behind a rail-based solution to relieving congestion in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
New research recently revealed that – following the opening of the Borders Railway near Edinburgh – Peterhead and Fraserburgh are now further from the British rail network than any other towns.
If brought to fruition, the proposals to solve the problem could include relaying track on the Buchan and Formartine way, from Dyce to Ellon and beyond.
Ellon councillor Rob Merson said he has been inundated with comments from his constituents about re-establishing the line.
He said: “There is no doubt that having a rail link to the city centre will be of great benefit to people in Ellon and district, allowing them to bypass the bottlenecks which are regularly encountered at the Bridge of Don and King Street and which will remain even after the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route is opened and Balmedie-Tipperty is dualled.”
The public consultation events across Aberdeenshire will begin next week.
The first, on Monday, will be held at the Holiday Inn Express in Bridge of Don. The following day, the New Inn Hotel in Ellon host the Nestrans team.
On November 2, residents of Fraserburgh will get a chance to have their say at the Community and Sports Centre. The following day Peterhead’s Apex Church hall will present the study. They will run from 3pm-7pm each day.