North-east residents, commuters and businesses are invited to have their say on options identified as part of a study for improving transport connections between Fraserburgh, Peterhead and Aberdeen.
Nestrans, along with Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council will hold a series of four public consultation events around the study area; a 50 mile stretch from Peterhead and Fraserburgh to Aberdeen and Dyce, incorporating the Energetica corridor.
Earlier this month, the three consultant companies undertaking the study, SIAS, Peter Brett Associates and Energised Environments, produced a Pre Appraisal Report that identified seven options which could address the current travel problems and future transport aspirations of the area.
The seven strategic options cover a mixture of road upgrades, bus travel improvements and rail options; including dualling the A90 north of Ellon and the potential re-opening of the former Formartine and Buchan railway line.
The potential solutions were identified following the results of earlier consultations, key issues raised and the results of an information gathering phase. This included conducting an online public consultation during April and May this year which asked people for their views on how the transport network could be improved to support local people.
This next series of consultation events will allow the public to give their views on the options identified, before the consultants undertake further study to narrow and refine the possibilities as part of a Stage One Appraisal report early next year.
Nestrans Deputy Chair, Councillor Peter Argyle, said: “From Dyce and Bridge of Don to Ellon, Fraserburgh and Peterhead; the transport issues identified on this corridor affect multiple people, business and industries and we want to gain as much feedback as possible which the consultants can use as part of their further analysis on the options identified.
“These stakeholder events will be held to ensure that all interested parties have an opportunity to share their opinions. I would encourage as many people as possible to come along to the event to feed in to the process and help form the final options.
“It is important that the consultants are provided with the evidence to enable them to assess options against the issues and objectives – we are not asking for a preference or inviting a vote on the popularity of different options. Proposals will need to be realistic in terms of timescales bearing in mind the funding, planning and design stages which will need to be followed. This stage is about gathering the evidence to enable a robust assessment of the pros and cons of each option.”