Scotland's new transport secretary Stephen Flynn has reiterated his support for improved North-east rail links, saying reinstating the railway from Aberdeen to Peterhead and Fraserburgh remains an aspiration.
Speaking to The Press and Journal, Mr Flynn said: "I'm fairly certain I've spoken pretty warmly about it in the past as well.
"I think as an aspiration, it's something that we would all love to see."
He said any project would require discussions with Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire councils and regional transport bodies on its "deliverability".
Mr Flynn also reaffirmed the Scottish Government's commitment to fully dual the A96, saying: "It's a commitment that we made in the manifesto, which should be an indication to the public of how seriously we take the delivery of that."
However, he cautioned that delivery would require "a serious conversation about the costs involved in government" and added: "We need to be serious about how quickly we can deliver it."
Read the full interview in today's Press & Journal.