Rail travellers reminded to plan their journeys ahead of line closure between Aberdeen and Dyce

TRAVELLERS are being urged to plan their journeys in advance ahead of a 14-week line closure.

The latest phase of The ScotRail Alliance’s Aberdeen to Inverness Improvement Project will see the track between Aberdeen and Dyce shutting down from Saturday May 12.

Buses will replace trains between Aberdeen and Dyce during the upgrade work.

ScotRail has published specific journey information on its website, which includes bus timetable information, as well as alternative travel options.

Passengers are warned that preparation work will also be taking place this weekend, including bridge demolitions, signalling work and track renewal along the route.

The line will be closed on Saturday and Sunday and replacement buses will be in operation.

The work is aiming to improve services along the route, providing a number of extra services linking Inverness and Elgin as well as more frequent trains between Aberdeen and Inverurie.

It will also allow InterCity trains to operate between Inverness and Aberdeen, and new through services between Inverurie – Montrose, reducing the need to interchange.

More through services between Inverness and the central belt via Aberdeen will also be introduced.

Further upgrade work will be carried out between Dyce and Inverurie in 2019. 

ScotRail Alliance Head of Customer Experience Graham Heald said: “This is a massive project, which will ultimately transform services in the north of Scotland. The work between Aberdeen and Dyce will double the track, so that we can improve the reliability of service our customers receive.

“We know lengthy line closures can be a real inconvenience for customers, and we’re doing everything we can to keep people moving during the work. We’ve published travel information on our website and would encourage customers to plan ahead, considering their travel options, and remember that journey times will be longer than normal.

“The investment we are making to upgrade the line between Aberdeen and Inverness is all part of our plan to build the best railway Scotland has ever had.”