A new £15million station in Kintore has officially Opened.

Kintore re-joined Scotland's Railway after an absence of 56 years.

Providing an interchange between rail and road, the two-platform station is fully accessible with step-free access between platforms via a footbridge with lifts.

Built by Network Rail and main contractor BAM Nuttall, the new station has extensive car parking – including disabled and electric charging bays – and bike storage.

With 24 of the 168 parking spaces fitted with electric charging points, Kintore station is also now the largest electric vehicle charging place in the north east of Scotland.

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Connected to the local bus network the station also links into the Inverurie-Kintore cycle path.

The new station will be served by up to 28 ScotRail trains each day – including refurbished high-speed Inter7City trains. Customers will benefit from a half hourly service at peak times Monday to Saturday, and an hourly service on Sundays.

Funded by Transport Scotland, Aberdeenshire Council and Nestrans the new station reconnects Kintore to rail for the first time since 1964 when the original 1854-built station closed as part of the Beeching cuts.

Elements of the original station, including heritage benches and salvaged signs, have been reincorporated into the new facility.

Kris Kinnear, Network Rail Scotland's capital delivery director, said: "We're committed to working alongside the Scottish Government to open up our railway to as many communities as possible across Scotland.

"This station will create new social and economic opportunities for people in Kintore and we are pleased to have been able to deliver the new facility for the town.

"The north east's rail network has benefited from significant investment over the last five years to increase capacity and create more flexible journeys for passengers."