PLANS to cut rail journey times between Aberdeen and the central belt are now “under review”, according to the SNP’s transport secretary.
The Scottish Government had pledged in 2016 to reduce times between the North-east and central-Scotland by about 20 minutes, with £200m put aside for the project with an end date of 2026.
However, it was revealed on Tuesday in Holyrood that the project may yet be delayed.
Mairi McAllan told MSPs the project is “constrained” by budget pressures, but argued she is “utterly committed” to the project.
Speaking after the announcement, Ryan Crighton, policy director at Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said more delays to the project will cause more suffering for the region’s economy.
He said: “Our region will power Scotland’s energy transition and much of its economic growth in the years ahead. That job is made so much harder if we’ve got poor transport options for business passengers, visitors and freight.
“The Scottish Government should offer urgent clarity on their plans — and assure business here in Aberdeen and Grampian that this isn’t a roll back on previous promises made to our region.”
