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SCOTTISH STRATEGIC RAIL STUDY
8. NORTH EAST SCOTLAND - THE NESTRANS AREA
SWOT Analysis
8.1 The NESTRANS area is characterised by strong economic growth centred around Aberdeen. Key growth areas (both population and business/employment) are located along the rail axis to the north and south of Aberdeen. The ability of rail to link to these developments is important for the area.
8.2 The rail network through the area consists of a single route and 7 stations. Only 12% of the population currently live within 1km of a station. There are poor service levels (low frequencies) between the local stations and Aberdeen. These are key travel to work corridors. Local services are provided by long distance services stopping at local stations. Connectivity by rail between areas to the north and south of Aberdeen is difficult. There is little spare capacity in the system (either north or south of Aberdeen) except for a continuation of the current service patterns.
8.3 Consultation has shown businesses and residents view rail positively. Accessibility to the rail system from and to other modes plus issues surrounding local station facilities, particularly where the station is unmanned or manned part-time, are however considered deterrents to using the system.
8.4 A SWOT analysis for the NESTRANS area is contained in WP3 Appendix A
Planning Objectives & Aspirational Targets
8.5 The planning objectives for the local services in NESTRANS arising from this analysis are shown in Table 8.1.
8.6 In broad terms the priority planning objectives are similar to those in the Tay Area. For the existing network they are to increase service frequencies, particularly on journey to work routes, to improve rail integration around Aberdeen, and to improve intermodal access, particularly for car users, outside of Aberdeen. In terms of developing new markets the primary aim is to provide new access for developing communities and business zones.
Table 8.1 NESTRANS stag Planning Objective asPiRational Targets
Projects Considered
8.7 Table 8.2 lists the various schemes that have been considered to address these objectives and also shows under which scenario they have been tested.
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