An application to secure funding for a new Aberdeenshire railway station has been submitted by the local authority in a bid to move the building process forward.
To secure the cash for the proposed new station at Kintore, Aberdeenshire Council and Nestrans have jointly submitted a detailed bid to Network Rail’s Scottish Stations Fund (SSF).
If successful this would provide the funds required, allowing the construction of a new station at the north end of the town.
Proposals are already well progressed for a fully accessible twin-platform station, along with parking and a transport interchange, at a cost of around £11.6 million.
Aberdeenshire Council and Nestrans have committed to 30% of the cost with the rest being sought from the SSF application.
The works are planned to coincide with the final stages of the project to re-double the rail track between Inverurie and Aberdeen, the introduction of a new timetable, and the introduction of larger trains being brought onto the line.
This upgrading work will be implemented by March 2019, one of the biggest projects of its kind in the UK.
Commenting on the proposals, councillor David Aitchison, chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s infrastructure services committee, said: “We are looking for the support needed from Network Rail, Transport Scotland, and Scottish Ministers to make these proposals a reality.
“The business case demonstrates that this new station will provide a major boost for rail users in Kintore, Kemany and parts of Inverurie, although arguably the effects of this new station will be felt much further afield.”
Councillor Ramsay Milne, chair of Nestrans, welcomed the collaboration from the rail industry during the preparation of the funding bid.
He said: “It’s clear that the rail industry have identified this as a key scheme for north east Scotland, in order to help make best use of their £170m investment between Aberdeen and Inverurie.
“We look forward to their support for this project.”
The funding bid will be considered during the summer by Network Rail and the wider rail industry.