Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth has visited the site of the new £14 million Inverness Airport station to see the progress of construction works.

The project will deliver a two-platform station on the Aberdeen-Inverness line with step-free access, via a footbridge with lifts. Work also includes the creation of a passing-loop (a second line of track through the station) and the closure of Petty Level crossing.

The fully accessible station will have 64 car parking spaces with 10 electric charging facilities, four disabled spaces and cycle parking. There will be a new access road to the station for motorists and access to both platforms for pedestrians and cyclists

Work has been undertaken to upgrade existing active travel path between the new station and the airport and two buses an hour will initially link the station and the terminal.

New stations can act as a catalyst to further investment, regeneration and economic development for local areas.  The construction of the new Inverness Airport station will help enhance the area by giving travellers another route to the airport as well as opening-up local transport links.

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This includes to the new town of Tornagrain as well as improving travel links to the growing Inverness Airport Business Park.

Main construction work on the new platforms is well underway and the team is now starting on the concrete lift shafts and footbridge foundations. Creation of the access roads and carpark will follow.

The development also comes with the advantage of closing the level crossing at Petty which will improve the safety of the line and the operation of the new station, which is due for completion in December 2022.

Jenny Gilruth, Minister for Transport, said: "I have been keeping up to date with the work at Inverness Airport station, but it was good to have the opportunity to go on-site, meet the team and see first-hand the work that has been happening on the project since work began in October 2021.

"Providing easy local access to the Aberdeen to Inverness services will make this area more attractive for inward investment and housing growth, which will both support local communities and the wider economy."

Kris Kinnear, Network Rail's capital delivery director said: "The new fully accessible station will improve social and economic opportunities for people in Inverness and the surrounding communities and we will work hard to deliver the new facility for the area as quickly as possible.

"We appreciate that given the scale of the work, it is not without some disruption, but It is an exciting development that has the potential to transform life for local people and the communities it will serve."