Discussions over reintroducing the railway to the north-east have been delayed – by ongoing train strikes.
The board of the north-east transport partnership, Nestrans, met yesterday to consider a study into improving road and rail links between Aberdeen, Ellon, Peterhead and Fraserburgh.
But Nestrans director Derick Murray revealed that the presentation of a detailed report has been postponed because Scotrail has been focused on resolving ongoing industrial action across the country’s tracks.
Board members were due to be presented a more detailed case for improving road and rail infrastructure, following a report published earlier this year.
Mr Murray said: “We had hoped to come back to the board today with some considerations following discussions with Transport Scotland, Scotrail and the bus companies.
“We have only very recently finished consultations with Scotrail – due to the holidays and strikes – and we haven’t been able to put together the consultations and recommendations for where the board goes next.”
Initial proposals include spending £113million dualling the A90 between Ellon and the Toll of Birness, and investing up to £260million to bring back a rail service between Dyce and Ellon.
The Nestrans director added: “We need to put together our collective heads to come up with a recommendation for where the board goes next.”
Last week the Press and Journal revealed that developers in Peterhead have allocated space in a new neighbourhood for a railways station.
Knight Frank has earmarked land to the west of the port for more than 1,000 homes. The site encompasses the Buchan and Formartine walking route – along the former Peterhead train link.
Local councillor Stephen Smith described the move as a “vote of confidence” in the project to return a rail link to Buchan.
Although the ongoing Nestrans study into improving transport infrastructure has ruled out reintroducing train tracks as far north as Peterhead and Fraserburgh in the short term, extending the Dyce line to Ellon is a first step in the process.
Peterhead and Fraserburgh are the two towns furthest from the British rail network.
A detailed breakdown of the different upgrade options is now expected to presented to the Nestrans board in October.