Inverurie Transport Interchange a Step Closer

SNP councillor for Inverurie & District Neil Baillie has announced he has this week received confirmation from Network Rail that the Scottish Freight Sites Group would support the removal of Inverurie Freight Yard from the Supplementary Strategic Freight Site List in order for the yard to be redeveloped as a transport interchange.

Cllr Neil Baillie commented

“This is very good news for Inverurie and Aberdeenshire. This is something people have wanted in Inverurie for a very long time.

“Now, with the freight companies agreeing to release the yard, a transport interchange providing increased parking, a bus terminus away from our town hall and possibly a taxi rank linked to forthcoming improvements to the railway service following the extensive line upgrade, we can take a step further to a Transport Interchange for Inverurie becoming a reality.”

Cllr Baillie has worked hard to maintain contact with Network Rail regarding the availability of the Inverurie Freight Yard. Network Rail will now arrange a meeting later in the month with representatives of Aberdeenshire Council to agree a way forward for delivery of the transport interchange.

Cllr Baillie continued:

“In January 2014 Network Rail gave notice of their intention to dispose of the Inverurie Freight Yard and Station Car Park to Aberdeenshire Council for the use of creating a Transport interchange with improved vehicular access. However shortly after this, a decision was taken by Network Rail which confirmed that it intended to use the site as a main depot for equipment to be used for the expansion of the Inverness to Aberdeen rail line improvement.

“Now that the £200m investment in the railway line is complete, discussions have been taking place again to release the yard to provide a Transport Interchange for Inverurie. I’m delighted with this step forward and look forward to more progress in the near future.”