The Aberdeenshire town of Kintore will this week see the return of rail services after an absence of almost 60 years.
The £15m station was built by Network Rail, with funding from Transport Scotland, Aberdeenshire Council and Nestrans, and has fully accessible, step-free access between platforms via a footbridge with lifts. It will be managed by ScotRail.
It is also the largest electric vehicle charging location in north east Scotland, with 24 of the 168 spaces at the new transport hub fitted with charging points.
Michael Matheson, cabinet secretary for transport, infrastructure and connectivity said: ‘This new station is clear evidence of the Scottish Government’s commitment to the North East. It comes hot on the heels of line dualling between Aberdeen and Inverurie and the introduction of an Inverurie and Montrose Crossrail service.
‘By providing a rail interchange that offers significant parking provision with the largest electric vehicle charging facility in the North East, as well as cycle storage facilities and bus links, we are making the decision to switch from private car to train even easier.
‘It also offers wider regional benefits by removing the need to drive into Aberdeen city centre, with that reducing congestion and emissions.’
Re-opening Kintore has been made possible by double-tracking the line between Aberdeen and Inverurie, delivered as part of the Aberdeen-Inverness Improvement Project.
The station also has bike storage, connection into the local bus network and links to the Inverurie-Kintore cycle path.
The original Kintore station opened in 1854 but closed in 1964 as part of the Beeching cuts.
Transport Scotland said its history has been incorporated into the new facility with features from the previous station, including heritage benches and salvaged signs.
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