A petition that has gathered more than 1,600 signatures for the reopening of Cove and Newtonhill railway stations has been submitted to Scotland’s Transport Secretary after John Swinney failed to mention the proposals in his Programme for Government.
North East MSP Liam Kerr has now written to Fiona Hyslop as part of his campaign to resurrect the two stations which closed more than 65 years ago.
Mr Kerr criticised the absence of any mention of the platforms in John Swinney’s Programme for Government, which details the work SNP ministers will do over the coming 12 months.
Instead, the document referenced plans for new stations at Winchburgh in West Lothian – Ms Hyslop’s constituency – and Newburgh in Fife, where she plans to visit later this week.
Stating the two stations as examples, it said the Scottish Government would “assess the case for investment, alignment with our rail investment strategy, public value and contribution to government priorities”.
Mr Kerr’s petition submission coincides with the expected publication by regional transport body Nestrans of its Laurencekirk Transport Corridor Study that is expected to show evidence in favour of reopening the stations.
Scottish Conservative North East MSP Liam Kerr said: “I’m deeply disappointed at Cove and Newtonhill’s omission from John Swinney’s Programme for Government which is a kick in the teeth to these communities.
“So soon after the SNP government failed to award funding for these proposals in its 2025/26 budget earlier this year, it appears the central belt is once again being prioritised ahead of the North East for rail improvements.
“Despite having considerably larger populations than the two stations mentioned in the Programme for Government, it’s appalling that John Swinney chose to ignore the North East while Fiona Hyslop hasn’t bothered to commit to visiting either Cove or Newtonhill.
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“I believe reopening these stations would be transformational for the area, enhancing connectivity, reducing congestion on local roads, and fostering sustainable and economic growth for both communities.
“That is why I have submitted my petition to the SNP Transport Secretary, which will remain live and continue to gather signatures, in a bid to get Cove and Newtonhill back on the map.”
