Aberdeen - Inverness £170m Upgrade

[47271]

Interestingly Inverness Airport has just unveiled its draft 2020 master plan and consultation. Option 4 (and the most expensive option) is to build a new terminal by the railway line. You can check out the full plan here:

https://www.invernessairport.co.uk/...-Plan-2020-Condensed-Consultation-Version.pdf

and submit feedback via this link here:

Inverness Airport – Highlands and Islands Airports Limited

Highland and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL) is a public corporation wholly owned by the Scottish Ministers. The company operates and manages 11 Airports at Barra, Benbecula, Campbeltown, Dundee, Islay, Inverness, Kirkwall, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Tiree and Wick John O’Groats.

www.invernessairport.co.uk

View attachment 90819

The Gatwick of the North

 

[Wynd]

That is a great development.

Could Aberdeen follow next and incorporate Dyce in the same way?

Not with the current "leadership" at the helm of ACC.

 

[Stathern Jc]

Dalcross has the great advantage of plenty of clear space at the station end of the airport.
Don't know Dyce that well, but imagine there would need to be a fair amount of business relocations to allow it. Very attractive thought though (maybe except to the local cabbies!).

 

[och aye]

That is a great development.

Could Aberdeen follow next and incorporate Dyce in the same way?

Not with the current "leadership" at the helm of ACC.

It's not set in stone. They may go for the cheaper options of 1, 2 or 3 and leave the terminal where it is.

If folk are in favour of the more expensive Option 4, I'd encourage them to fill out the feedback form with their reasons in support of it.

 

[47271]

Dalcross has the great advantage of plenty of clear space at the station end of the airport.
Don't know Dyce that well, but imagine there would need to be a fair amount of business relocations to allow it. Very attractive thought though (maybe except to the local cabbies!).

It'll never happen at Aberdeen, the infrastructure around the present terminal is massive, even the idea of a new branch to serve the Airport and the P&J Live was pie in the sky.

Now that the line's been redoubled between Hutcheon Street Tunnel and Inverurie, the main focus at the Aberdeen end should be on getting more stations reopened. The airport can be left to do its own thing.

 

[och aye]

Highland Councillors have approved the Dalcross station.

Inverness airport train station gets go-ahead, despite councillors' reservations

Highland councillors agreed that Inverness Dalcross airport is to get its own multi-million twin platform rail link - but the decision came with only a

www.pressandjournal.co.uk

Highland councillors agreed that Inverness Dalcross airport is to get its own multi-million twin platform rail link – but the decision came with only a muted fanfare.

Concern over the removal of the level crossing at Petty took up a great deal of councillor energy in debate over the issue.

Network Rail upgraded plans for a single platform station to a double last year in a venture transport chiefs say will result in a reduction in road travel to the airport, promoting greener travel choices whilst increasing capacity on the Inverness to Aberdeen line.

Pre-pandemic, passengers passed through Inverness Airport each year travelling to and from places like Amsterdam, Ireland, London and Majorca.

 

[najaB]

Pre-pandemic, passengers passed through Inverness Airport each year travelling to and from places like Amsterdam, Ireland, London and Majorca.

Interesting that they chose not to quote numbers...

 

[waverley47]

While Inverness certainly isn't Schiphol, it's still great to see this finally get planning permission.

It opens up a large area to park and ride, although time will tell if the good people of Dalcross and Ardersier use it for this purpose (personally I doubt it). It connects to an airport, which is always a good thing. And most importantly it opens up a lot of journeys into Inverness from abroad. The Highlands are very popular, and I hope a number of people take advantage of this to use public transport to start their tours.

However, as has been noted, it's not in a great position for the airport, and we shall see if transport Scotland decide a minibus is worth the hassle. Personally, I doubt it.

 

[najaB]

However, as has been noted, it's not in a great position for the airport, and we shall see if transport Scotland decide a minibus is worth the hassle. Personally, I doubt it.

I expect that one will be provided initially, only to fade away after a year or so.

 

[Tobbes]

While Inverness certainly isn't Schiphol, it's still great to see this finally get planning permission.

It opens up a large area to park and ride, although time will tell if the good people of Dalcross and Ardersier use it for this purpose (personally I doubt it). It connects to an airport, which is always a good thing. And most importantly it opens up a lot of journeys into Inverness from abroad. The Highlands are very popular, and I hope a number of people take advantage of this to use public transport to start their tours.

However, as has been noted, it's not in a great position for the airport, and we shall see if transport Scotland decide a minibus is worth the hassle. Personally, I doubt it.

How far is the station from the Terminal?

 

[Deltic1961]

Same issue with Dyce. The connection between terminal and station is PITA .... and it's a short distance too.

 

[Trackbedjolly]

What I don't understand about this Dalcross Station is why people are trying to call it an airport station. Is the reality not that it is associated with the nearby housing development and as that happens to be somewhere near Inverness Airport it is thereby perceived as an airport station?

 

[takno]

What I don't understand about this Dalcross Station is why people are trying to call it an airport station. Is the reality not that it is associated with the nearby housing development and as that happens to be somewhere near Inverness Airport it is thereby perceived as an airport station?

Probably because if they declared they were planning on spending that much money on a two platform station for the benefit of a small housing estate outside Inverness they'd all lose their seats at the next election

 

[davetheguard]

Same issue with Dyce. The connection between terminal and station is PITA .... and it's a short distance too.

Can you explain to those of us who aren't quite awake yet what PITA means?

 

[Bald Rick]

How far is the station from the Terminal?

About half a mile in a straight line. But to walk in a straight line you’d be over a couple of fences and walking on the end of the runway, so the actual distance is about a mile.

Can you explain to those of us who aren't quite awake yet what PITA means?

Pain in the ‘arris.

 

[najaB]

How far is the station from the Terminal?

About half a mile in a straight line. But to walk in a straight line you’d be over a couple of fences and walking on the end of the runway, so the actual distance is about a mile.

Don't forget though that there's a proposal for a new terminal which would be on the same side of the runway as the railway station.

 

[Bald Rick]

Don't forget though that there's a proposal for a new terminal which would be on the same side of the runway as the railway station.

That’s just one of three options to raise capacity for the airport though, the other three options extend the existing terminal - 1999 vintage and not often stretched. A relocated terminal has a big price tag for what would effectively be saving people perhaps 10 minutes walk.

 

[najaB]

That’s just one of three options to raise capacity for the airport though, the other three options extend the existing terminal - 1999 vintage and not often stretched. A relocated terminal has a big price tag for what would effectively be saving people perhaps 10 minutes walk.

Oh, I don't expect that it'll happen - as you say, the current terminal isn't that old and I'm not sure how much growth in passenger numbers Inverness Airport can realistically expect.

 

[Glenn1969]

Bear in mind Leeds Bradford has just had its expansion plans kicked into the very long grass by the UK Government. Will Inverness meet the same fate?

 

[najaB]

Bear in mind Leeds Bradford has just had its expansion plans kicked into the very long grass by the UK Government. Will Inverness meet the same fate?

In theory, any expansion would be financed by HIAL rather than HM Government so, as long as they don't intend on changing the aerodrome itself (e.g. runway extension) then the UK government wouldn't have much say in the matter (planning is a matter for the Scottish Government).

 

[Deltic1961]

Can anyone explain why there still seems to be a speed restriction coming in to Aberdeen from Inverness. Every single journey the trains get to Bedford Retail Park and instantly slow down to 30.

I'm aware the Wolmanhill tunnel is single track but that seems a fair distance out to slam the anchors on.

Even on a HST running 10 minutes late on Friday the same thing happened. What's the point of spending all that money for trains to travel at a snail's pace?

 

[och aye]

NR press release with some artist impressions. No information on a completion date though.

Planning consent received for Inverness Airport train station

The Highland Council's planning committee has unanimously approved proposals which will see a new railway station built at Inverness Airport.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

The Highland Council's planning committee has unanimously approved proposals which will see a new railway station built at Inverness Airport.


The plans for this station will see the construction of a two-platform station on the Aberdeen-Inverness line, with step-free access via a footbridge with lifts, adjacent to Inverness Airport.


The station will have parking for 64 cars with 10 electric charging facilities, four disabled spaces and cycle parking.


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.


The planning application was submitted back in December 2020 following extensive engagement with the community – which was carried out online due to COVID-19 restrictions.

 

[Tormod]

Can anyone explain why there still seems to be a speed restriction coming in to Aberdeen from Inverness. Every single journey the trains get to Bedford Retail Park and instantly slow down to 30.

I'm aware the Wolmanhill tunnel is single track but that seems a fair distance out to slam the anchors on.

Even on a HST running 10 minutes late on Friday the same thing happened. What's the point of spending all that money for trains to travel at a snail's pace?

Open Railway Maps show the line speed reducing from 75 to 40bst Berryden.

 

[Deltic1961]

Cheers for the info. Checked again yesterday and the train slowed to 38 after Berryden.

 

[Tormod]

I think I meant past, rather than bst...

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Has an official railway station name and a three-letter station code been given to the proposed station that is said to serve Inverness Airport?

 

[CEN60]

Has an official railway station name and a three-letter station code been given to the proposed station that is said to serve Inverness Airport?

The NR Project Team (and designers) now refer to it as Inverness Airport Station - I don't know if it has a 3 letter code assigned yet.

 

[najaB]

Has an official railway station name and a three-letter station code been given to the proposed station that is said to serve Inverness Airport?

Logically it should be named Dalcross but I suspect that Inverness Airport will probably win out. There's no need for a CRS code until tickets start to be priced so we're a bit off that date, though IVA is currently unallocated and would make sense if they go with the airport name.

 

[CEN60]

Logically it should be named Dalcross but I suspect that Inverness Airport will probably win out. There's no need for a CRS code until tickets start to be priced so we're a bit off that date, though IVA is currently unallocated and would make sense if they go with the airport name.

It was referred to a Dalcross way back - but as I said above the project team now refer to it as Inverness Airport Station (for the record platform 1 will be on the airport side and platform 2 will be on the to be constructed loop.

Moderator note: for progress updates regarding the new station at Inverness airport please use the following thread: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/inverness-airport-railway-station-progress-updates.223738/