Public artwork could be at the heart of an £11million Aberdeenshire station, which is being brought back to life after 50 years.
The news came after transport body, Nestrans, supported the business case for the restoration of Kintore Rail Station, agreeing to a £8million funding bid to make it a reality.
And yesterday, members of the organisation paved the way for the stop-off point to open in December 2018.
The group unanimously backed the business case for the station and signed off the funding bid to the Scottish Station Fund (SSF).
Nestrans member and East Garioch councillor, Martin Ford, welcomed the plans, but asked that public artwork formed part of the plans.
He said: “We have a proposed design here, we were never going to get anything other than a few concrete blocks and a glorified bus shelter; and we are not going to see a station master in his top hat coming off the platform to greet passengers.
“However, there has been discussion in Kintore in terms of a piece of public art. I would like to take forward the notion to include some public art, so it is not just two concrete platforms and a bridge.
“I am not expecting the rail industry to pay for it, but I would like it to be included in the planning.
“I am certainly very happy to welcome the recommendations and the progress we are making here.”
Kintore’s rail station was closed in 1964 after serving for years as a junction between the now non-existent Alford line and Aberdeen.
Nestrans yesterday heard that Aberdeenshire Council could fund £1million towards the station, Nestrans would provide a further £2-2.25million and the rest would come from the SSF bid.
Transport strategy manager for Nestrans, Rab Dickson, said the station would take the strain off the facilities at Inverurie, assessing that it would bring “revenue of approximately £1million through the station fare box”.
Mr Dickson added: “We are looking at a two-platform station with an over bridge, bus and taxi access and cycling facilities. It is a project that the rail industry is very keen on.”
The Kintore Station project would be part of a £170million rail improvement scheme between Aberdeen and Inverness.
This will involve doubling up the line on the route to allow for increased passenger services.