PLANS for a railway station to return to East Linton following an absence of more than 50 years have been lodged with East Lothian Council.

Campaigners have been calling for the station to return to the village for more than two decades, with a significant step confirmed by Network Rail on Monday.

The multi-million-pound project will be weighed up by the council’s planning department, with a decision expected next year.

Iain Gray, East Lothian MSP, was pleased to see progress being made at last.

He said: “It has been many years coming, but this is another important step towards delivering the new station and the benefits it will bring.”

Network Rail’s plans were revealed at a public exhibition at the end of October.

Images showed vehicular access to the station would come from Andrew Meikle Grove, with pedestrian access also available from the north, near East Linton Primary School, as well.

Two platforms would be built at the station, which would be able to accommodate six-carriage trains, with a footbridge with lifts and parking for 126 cars.

A station first opened in the village in 1846 but was listed for closure in the first Beeching report before closing in 1964.

Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland’s Railway, said: “The local community has been campaigning for a new train station at East Linton for many years and we are pleased that we have been able to work with local and central government to develop plans for this new facility.

“We now look forward to hearing people’s thoughts on the proposals and working with them to make this new station a reality.”

If approved, it is hoped that the station will be open by the end of 2024, with East Lothian Council having already committed more than £3 million to the scheme.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, who represents the Dunbar and East Linton ward, said: “I’m delighted for the people of East Linton, who have been waiting a long time on this coming about.”

Mr Hampshire stressed the final decision on the approval of the scheme would not rest with the local authority but the Scottish Government.

Councillor Paul McLennan, ward colleague, also welcomed the progress, saying: “I have been involved [in discussions] since I was elected in 2007 and this is another major step.

“It is going to make a massive difference to East Linton and the growing population.”

For details, go to scotlandsrailway.com/projects/east-linton-station