The North East transport partnership Nestrans today discussed a travel survey which focused on the Aberdeen to Laurencekirk corridor.

Director Rab Dickson said the key findings were improved active travel, improved bus service with concerns expressed about the cost, and the need for further rail infrastructure particularly at Cove and Newtonhill – “which we might have expected”.

He told board members they now have the base information to take this forward to the next stage.

Mr Dickson said that the rail industry aims to improve connectivity while also providing express changes, so that a stopping train is not holding up an express train. One option being considered is a stopping train service between Dundee and Aberdeen.

The board noted the progress on the multi-modal study, Nestrans officers will now consider the key findings of the consultation work, alongside other evidence, to respond to the queries originally raised by Transport Scotland on the Case for Change submission. considering the Aberdeen to Laurencekirk corridor.

It is a long process to re-open stations, and this is one key step in that journey.

The report can be found here (scroll to page 115) as part of the full agenda pack: https://www.nestrans.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/081221-Nestrans-Agenda-Pack.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0bV39YF0A520bMN4btY1N_L5G3uZMzojBPPTijxGReWnoBhDWJC-XqfAQ

Alternatively, here is a link directly to the survey report:
2021_11_30_Aberdeen-to-Laurencekirk-Consultation-Report.pdf (nestrans.org.uk)