In full: MSP Karen Adams receives unanimous support for her call to re-rail the north-east
Opening the SNP's conference which is being held in Aberdeen, MSP Karen Adam urged support for re-railing the north-east with investment in links to Fraserburgh and Peterhead.
The MSP's address said: "I am bringing this resolution to you today because I believe that re-railing the north-east could unlock the full potential for the north-east but also beyond.
"Coastal towns and villages including those in my constituency of Banffshire and Buchan Coast were devastated by controversial cuts to the rail service which were enacted by Richard Beeching in the 1960s.
"This left some communities without any rail connectivity and robbed them of reaching their full potential and prosperity
"In many ways it was the very worst of Tory social engineering.
"It has left towns within my constituency, and we are talking about proud fishing towns, truly unique in their heritage and importance to Scotland, it has left them still felling the effects
"Peterhead and Fraserburgh are the two largest towns in Scotland that are completely disconnected from Scotlands rail infrastructure and they are recognised as regeneration priority areas by the Scottish government and also the Aberdeen to Peterhead corridor is recognised as a strategic growth area.
"Peterhead is the largest fishing port in Europe and its port is the largest offshore support facility in the world
"There has been incredible work underway on Fraserburgh's regeneration and the port have recently unveiled their incredible masterplan not to mention Moray East offshore Wind Farm which has service vessels using the port
"It just makes no sense that they are not connected to rail.
"It could vastly increase the overall freight capacity for businesses in the area and by bringing that freight off the roads it will reduce road damage congestion and traffic and which in turn could also reduce road accidents
"Also recognising and supporting the Scottish governments ambitious target of becoming a net zero nation by 2045.
"There is a business case for this which definitely sits within out health and wellbeing economy goals.
"We could increase tourism capacity and by opening up Scotlands north-east coastline connect the north-east to the rest of Scotlands rail infrastructure.
"It will improve accessibility from rural areas to uran areas and vice versa and also help with the labour shortage in my constituency in regard to health care and teaching.
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"It could also strengthen our links to our Nordic neighbours as investment here in our ports in offshore wind, carbon capture and storage would ensure a boom time.
"And imagine the possibilities of having a direct rail link and shipping port to the rest of the continent.
"This could be a doorway right into Scotland but we wont just be a throughfare.
"The north-east region has literally generated billions of pounds for the UK economy and it is time we saw sine if that invested back.
"There has always been a perception that there is wealth here and that it is abundant in the north-east - but that is individual wealth and I cannot stress that less than an hour from here (Aberdeen) there are real pockets of deprivation.
"The oil wealth bypassed here and went straight to London without passing go.
"I am thrilled to say that the Campaign for North East Rail have received confirmation of funding for a feasibility study from the Just Transition Fund.
"This means that the prospect of re0railing Peterhead and Fraserburgh is one step closer to becoming a reality and by awarding funding for a feasibility study the Scottish Government area also showing that they are taking these plans seriously.
"For example the reopening of the Borders railway has shown that with the right political will and support it shows that this can become a reality.
"Borders Rail has shown that local rail can be a success again
"I am asking for support for this resolution so that we can show that no town is left behind when it comes to commitment for rail and that we are unlocking the potential for the whole of Scotland."
Speaking in support of the resolution were Josh Mennie and Glen Reynolds.
Josh Mennie said: "Passing this resolution will solidify the commitment the SNP has to the North-east and taking seriously the economic needs of the region.
"The UK government has abandoned the north-east and Moray.
"Rail will bring important benefits to areas of regeneration and will bring investment.
"Industry is being held back by limitation's of road links and capacity - taking it back onto rail will have knock on effects.
"Opening up the coast to a new demographic of tourist will also help rural communities."
Glen Reynolds said: "Funding from the Just Transition fund has become a beacon of hope for the area.
"Towns are missing out on economic growth because they are isolated, in the 21st century this is unacceptable."
The resolution was passed without objecting.
