The campaign group behind plans to spark a rail revival in the north-east could receive up to £250,000 after success with a funding bid.
Proposals have been taken forward by the Campaign for North East Rail (CNER) who have ambitions to reopen Peterhead and Fraserburgh rail links.
The group applied for £80,000 to £250,000 from the Scottish Government to fund a new feasibility study examining their plans.
They have now been been told their application for funding has been approved but details on the exact amount have not yet been confirmed.
The Scottish Government will spend £50 million to support more than 20 projects during the next few years from its £500m Just Transition Fund for the North East and Moray.
A government spokesman said: “Further details about the projects are set to be officially announced in a matter of days.”
The campaigners say the work will address a “number of outstanding flaws and omissions from previous studies”.
‘Major step forward’
Wyndham Williams, co-chair of CNER, welcomed the Scottish Government funding as a “major step forward for the campaign”.
He added: “New north-east rail is now a more favourable option than in 2017.
“Climate targets, modal shift including significantly more rail freight, and the decarbonisation of Scotland’s railway through electrification are just some of the things that have changed since then.
Together, we will bring new rail to the north east.”
Wyndham Williams, co-chair of CNER
“In the coming days and weeks we look forwards to engaging with our local transport partnership Nestrans to take the next steps.
“We are grateful to all of our supporters who have helped by engaging, promoting and supporting the campaign so far.
“Together, we will bring new rail to the north east.”
North-east Green MSP Maggie Chapman was among the MSPs who worked with the Scottish Government to get the funding secured.
She said: “Connecting Fraserburgh and Peterhead to the rail network is vital for the strategic economic development of the north-east and will contribute to stronger, more resilient and sustainable communities.”
Aberdeenshire East SNP MSP Gillian Martin, who has campaigned on the issue since 2016, said: “I am proud that MSPs are working cross-party to give our support, on what could be a significant social and economic boost to the east of Aberdeenshire.”
North-east Tory MSP Liam Kerr said: “CNER have steadily laid the groundwork necessary for an in-depth study of what is possible on a revived Buchan-Formartine line. All the credit for that is theirs.
“This long-awaited funding is the culmination of that patience and a lot of cross-party work over the last couple of years.”
The SNP-Green shared policy programme included a “rail link between Dyce and Ellon and further north to Peterhead and Fraserburgh”.
But there was criticism after it emerged plans to reinstate the rail links were considered as part of a major government transport review but then rejected.
Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth said new rail links would be a “great idea” while visiting campaigners in the north-east during the summer.
Peterhead Railway Station was shut to passengers in 1965 and to freight in 1970.
Fraserburgh’s railway station lost its passenger services in 1965, and freight ceased in 1979.
