A north-east councillor has called for a notorious accident blackspot on the north-east’s busiest road to be prioritised ahead of reopening a historic railway line.
Ellon and District member, Gillian Owen – who has called for the dualling of the A90 Aberdeen to Fraserburgh road – claimed a new Formartine and Buchan railway service might not fix the area’s transport problems.
She added the “greatest need” was to improve the Toll of Birness junction, which has been the scene of a number of crashes in recent years.
The Conservative councillor was responding to a call from her Garioch counterpart, Martin Ford, for a train station and park and ride facility north of Ellon to be considered as part of a study into the Fraserburgh and Peterhead to Aberdeen “corridor”.
The Democratic Independent and Green Group co-leader is fighting to restore the line – which closed in 1966 – from Dyce northwards.
At last month’s meeting of regional transport body, Nestrans, Mr Ford pointed to the success of a similar park and ride station on the newly-reopened Borders Railway at Tweedbank as he proposed the Ellon option.
However, Mrs Owen, who is behind the Why Stop at Ellon A90 campaign, said Mr Ford’s idea was “not on the cards” during the discussions at the meeting.
She added: “I don’t understand how a train to Ellon can open up the north-east. People from Fraserburgh and Peterhead – are they really going to jump in a car and go to Ellon?
“Freight is going to have to come down by road. They have to do something at the Toll of Birness, there has to be something there. My priority would be that.
“I think a lot of people in Ellon would be delighted to see the railway open again. I’m not against it entirely, but can’t see how that (Ellon station) will open up the north-east from Fraserburgh and Peterhead.”
Mr Ford replied: “There has been a very positive public reaction to the possibility of re-opening the Buchan line railway to at least Ellon, with cross-party support for the idea amongst Aberdeenshire councillors
“Rail is a very efficient form of transport and can move large numbers of people while using very little land and less energy than the equivalent journeys by road.
“It can make a significant contribution to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and combatting climate change.
“I’m pleased Nestrans is continuing to explore options for re-opening at least the southern section of the railway.”