Aberdeen-Inverness Rail Improvements Phase 1 1 / Key Facts… • Mostly single track with passing loops • The long single-line sections restrict the current timetable and future development opportunities • 108 miles long with 10 existing operational stations • 2hours 20mins average journey time from end to end • Class 158 and Class 170 diesel rolling stock • 2 tunnels, 200 Earth Retaining Structures • 150 Underbridges & 170 Culverts, 98 Overbridges • 59 level crossings 2 / Specified Outputs… Transport Scotland’s High Level Output Specification (HLOS) for Control Period 5 specified for delivery by March 2019: – Half hourly service between Aberdeen and Inverurie including infrastructure capacity for a new station at Kintore – Maintain, as a minimum, the ability to deliver existing freight access rights on the route. – Create infrastructure capacity for a new station at Dalcross. – Some additional peak services between Inverness and Elgin 3 / Project Scope… 4 / Programme… West End (Forres Station and Elgin) ► Advance Works • Spring 2016 onwards ► Main Works • Commencing January 2017 East End (Inverurie to Aberdeen, Insch) ► Advance Works • 2016 onwards ► Main Works • January 2018 5 / Forres Station Re-location… 6 / Forres Station Re-location… 7 / Elgin Station Improvements… 8 / Elgin Station Improvements… 11-Dec-15 / 9 Community Engagement… What we’ve achieved so far: Next Steps: 56k leaflets distributed along the route More public drop ins planned Feb ‘16 2 community drop ins Forres and Elgin Website, newsletters, noise notification letters All MP’s/MSP’s and Councils briefed along the route Community legacy projects; working with partners in the SFA, Scottish Youth Community Councils and Community Theatre, Street Pastors and NHS. Groups briefed including DIA’s 10 /.