Ongoing efforts to study and improve transport infrastructure to the south of Aberdeen have taken a step forward today.
Nestrans board members have endorsed the findings of a Detailed Options Appraisal for the Aberdeen to Laurencekirk multi modal corridor study. The comprehensive study aims to address issues and enhance transport connectivity and accessibility along the travel corridor through a range of strategic interventions. During the Detailed Options Appraisal process, options are assessed against agreed transport planning objectives, Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG), as well feasibility, affordability and public acceptability.
The study assessed a package of five options, including proposals for new active travel infrastructure, a mobility hub, bus priority measures as well as potential rail stations at Cove and Newtonhill.
Following the appraisal process, including public and stakeholder engagement, the study by consultants AECOM, was shared with Nestrans’ board members and the findings recommend different routes for progressing several options.
Strengthening the Case for Rail Stations
The appraisal highlighted potential significant benefits that new stations at Cove and Newtonhill could bring to the area, improving rail access for residents along the corridor, reducing car dependency and supporting local development.
Both stations performed well against appraisal criteria and there was a strong appetite from both communities. While there were some community concerns raised over access and car parking, these will be among the issues subject further consideration at any future design stages.
As part of the appraisal, the testing of different scenarios showed how each station might perform with or without an Aberdeen Rapid Transit (ART) scheme in place. While Newtonhill performed positively in both cases, Cove did not perform as well in terms of value for money if run alongside an ART scheme.
The study also gathered insight into the priorities, travel behaviours and concerns of the communities along the route, engaging through community councils, public events and online consultations.
The Nestrans board was supportive of advancing the proposals for new stations at Cove and Newtonhill but recognised that further work is needed to build a strong business case for each. The board agreed that each station progress to a Strategic Business Case. This work would look to build a solid strategic rationale for the stations, supported by assessing the wider benefits of the stations and the relationship with the proposed ART scheme.
Further evaluation is needed to determine the potential for a complementary, rather than competitive, relationship between ART and a station at Cove, considering the differing market dynamics between ART and rail.
Enhancing Bus Priority and Travel Choice
The study highlights the importance of bus and active travel in providing sustainable travel choice for those living, working and travelling along the corridor. The Bus Priority measures assessed include dedicated bus lanes, signal priority, and improved bus stop infrastructure to enhance the reliability and attractiveness of bus services.
The plans for a mobility hub propose a centralised hub supporting bus, rail, cycling and car-sharing at a new facility at Schoolhill, Portlethen. The hub would enhance connectivity and integration for users and could form part of a park and ride for a future Aberdeen Rapid Transit scheme. If progressed alongside bus priority measures, the combination of the new facility, with improved bus journey times and reliability would offer an attractive option to car travel.
Nestrans members have endorsed the progression of these options to be considered as part of the future Outline Business Case for Aberdeen Rapid Transit.
Supporting Walking, Wheeling and Cycling
Active Travel interventions to be progressed include prioritising the development of a Marywell to Wellington Road active travel route, and thereafter an onward link to Portlethen and Newtonhill/Muchalls. The progression to Developed and Detailed Design stage will solidify how the improvements could best enhance walking and cycling connectivity along the communities.
Meanwhile the study found that proposed long-distance routes between Newtonhill and Stonehaven did not appear to be a suitable solution, and further work is needed to identify an option which would best suit the needs to the communities along the route.
Connectivity Concerns in the South of the Corridor
The study process also highlighted the need for delivering improved local sustainable connectivity, particularly for those communities south of Stonehaven. Among the key issues the report noted was the lack of direct bus between Aberdeen and Laurencekirk, the difficulty of making some rail connections southbound from Laurencekirk, and limited active travel connections.
The future construction of planned projects will help address some of connectivity issues such as the Laurencekirk Junction Improvement Scheme and investment in the rail network between Aberdeen and the Central Belt opening up better local rail connections. Aberdeenshire Council are undertaking Community Place Plans and Integrated Travel Towns work in this area, and opportunities will be further explored through these to address local connectivity and sustainable travel opportunities.
Councillor Michael Hutchison, chair of Nestrans, said:
“We’re looking at a number of different projects for our region, with the aim of giving people more choice about how they travel.
“That choice will strengthen our public transport network, making it more reliable and more attractive. That means the projects we are looking at, such as Aberdeen Rapid Transit and new train stations, will complement each other rather than compete.
“The projects we are looking at are ambitious. This study will allow us to take these projects forward in an informed and measured way, that understands how people travel here, how these new projects could work together, and how we can ensure the greatest benefit for our region.
“Our role as Regional Transport Partnership is to have that strategic oversight, to ensure that the final package is right for the North East.”
Next Steps
The study findings will now be presented to the relevant committees of Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council for review. After these committees have examined the findings, a follow-up report will be shared with the Nestrans Board in November to confirm the next steps for moving the appraisal forward.
Meanwhile, the board agreed for additional work to be carried out, in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council, to address identified local connectivity challenges to the south of corridor.