Work on a new railway station in Moray is now complete.

The new Forres station has been developed as part of the Scottish Government-funded Aberdeen-Inverness Improvement Project.

It was completed as part of a recent 10-day closure of the line, during which the railway was moved onto a straighter, double-tracked, alignment to the north of the old station.

As well as improved passenger facilities, the station's two platforms are linked by a fully accessible footbridge and lifts. In addition, the car park has more than doubled in size to 58 spaces, while a new road bridge over the railway links the station to the town.

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Further works carried out during the 10-day closure, which was delivered by main contractor BAM Nuttall and Network Rail, includes;

• 5km of new track in Forres

• The new Forres station and link road

• 2km of new track in Elgin

• Extended platforms at Elgin

• Upgrading of Elgin level crossing to a full-barrier, CCTV crossing

• Removal of redundant signal boxes at Elgin and Forres

• Upgrading of signalling systems between Elgin and Inverness

Speaking during the station's opening ceremony on Friday, 20 October, Local MSP Richard Lochhead said: "This investment by the Scottish Government in improvements to the line in Moray is hugely welcome and will bring significant benefits to local commuters and rail users."

Alex Hynes, managing director of the ScotRail Alliance, added: "This new station is just the first benefit our passengers will see from the Aberdeen-Inverness Improvement Project, which will also bring more commuter services into both Inverness and Aberdeen and shorter journeys between the two cities in the years ahead."

Improvement works between Aberdeen and Inverurie are scheduled to be finished by the end of 2019.

(LM/MH)