Aecom and Stantec awarded contract for study into reinstating abandoned railway between Aberdeen and Buchan

The two consultants will work together to conduct a Sustainable Transport Study looking at the possibility of reinstating the railway between Aberdeen and Buchan.

The Campaign for North East Rail (CNER) has championed the case for reinstating and upgrading rail infrastructure across the north east of Scotland and its recent application to the Scottish Government’s Just Transition Fund for the study was a success.

The study will explore the possibility of passenger and freight services running north of Dyce and onwards to Peterhead and Fraserburgh for the first time in over 50 years.

This line heading north would make use of the disused Formartine and Buchan Way but rather than branching at Maud as it did previously, CNER’s proposals would see this line branch at Ellon and follow the abandoned Boddam branch onto Peterhead.

Passenger services were withdrawn from the Formatine and Buchan Railway in 1965. Freight train operation was then discontinued to Peterhead in 1970 and to Fraserburgh in 1979. The Formartine and Buchan Way is currently used as a cycling and walking path.

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce has also backed the study which will be delivered with a preliminary options appraisal by March 2024.

While building on previous studies to improve public transport north of Aberdeen, the study will examine CNER’s proposals in greater detail, notably the opportunities afforded by using the former Boddam Branch line not previously assessed. It will also take account of the shift in transport policy objectives over recent years, the recently announced Acorn CCUS project at St Fergus, which could significantly impact on travel and freight demand to and from Buchan alongside other regional transport studies.

CNER general secretary Jordan Jack said: “We’re delighted that the study to reconnect the communities of Peterhead and Fraserburgh is now proceeding.

“Since the last study was published in 2016, much has changed from a policy perspective, specifically the focus on lower carbon transport and the Just Transition, both of which are crucial to the future competitiveness and subsequent prosperity the north east.

“However, several issues faced by businesses and communities are as valid today as they have been for decades. New railways directly address issues such as investment, social inclusion, modal shift and many others, as clearly demonstrated by Borders rail and the soon to open Levenmouth rail link.

“CNER believes that Fraserburgh and Peterhead — currently the two largest towns in the UK furthest from the rail network — stand to benefit hugely from reconnection to rail and this study serves to make the conclusive case for why this part of the north east needs to be reconnected.

“This is the next step on the journey to making Peterhead, Fraserburgh and other communities in north east Aberdeenshire more connected, thereby making them better places than ever to live, work, and enjoy.

“We look forward to the upcoming public engagement and thank all our partners and stakeholders for getting the campaign to this important milestone, whose support and collaboration are invaluable.”

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce chief executive Russell Borthwick said: “Today marks a significant step forward in the campaign to reinstate rail to the towns and industrial heartlands of north east Aberdeenshire.

“If we want to see our region’s economy firing on all cylinders, we need better transport links to major centres of industry and commerce such as Peterhead and Fraserburgh, joining up settlements of significant size and population along the way.

“The success of the reinstating the Borders railway and now the Levenmouth project in Fife shows what can be achieved with credible plans, a good business case and public support backed by local business communities. This is not pie in the sky.

“Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce is proud to share the vision for reconnecting Buchan to the UK-wide rail network, with the huge potential that brings for shifting freight, for commuters travelling across our region and for attracting more visitors to explore this fantastic corner of Scotland but this isn’t an argument for rail over better road connectivity, we should have the ambition to aim for both.

“Other regions of Scotland are seeing multi billions of pounds committed to their public transport systems. This can be achieved at a fraction of that amount.

“The next phase of work is not about a consultant being appointed to carry out some desk research in isolation. Instead, it will be delivered in a spirit of true partnership, between the stakeholders and in conjunction with the local community to explore the strategic case for future investment.”

Scotland’s cabinet secretary for transport, net zero and just transition Mairi McAllan said: “It is clear the Campaign for North East Rail group are passionate about this proposal. This award of up to £250,000 from the Scottish government Just Transition Fund to conduct a multimodal study into transport options in the north east of Scotland builds on their previous work.

"We expect that the appraisal will take due consideration of any future development in the corridor, including potentially at St Fergus and we look forward to receiving the output of this work in due course.”

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