East Linton Railway Station proposals submitted to council

Network Rail submitted proposals to East Lothian Council shortly before Christmas, with the plans now available for public scrutiny.

It marks an important milestone in a more-than-two-decade campaign for a station in a village.

Network Rail hopes that a decision can be made on the multi-million-pound scheme within a matter of months.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, who represents the Dunbar and East Linton ward, was delighted that progress was being made.

He is chairman of East Lothian Council’s planning committee and unable to comment on the specifics of the application.

Members of the public can now comment on plans for a new railway station in East Linton

But he said: “It certainly looks like we are moving in the right direction. East Lothian Council has to deal with the planning application as a separate process but the council as a whole is very supportive of the establishment of a new station in East Linton.”

Mr Hampshire pointed to data released by Rightmove at the end of last month which suggested East Linton and Dunbar were among the most desirable places in Scotland for people looking to move to.

He highlighted that not only would people living in the village benefit from the station and its links to Edinburgh but so would people travelling the other way, who could then enjoy the attractions of East Linton.

The new station would not be built on the site of the former East Linton station, which closed in 1964, but would instead be built on a section of the East Coast Main Line further to the west.

Vehicular access would come from Andrew Meikle Grove, with parking for more than 125 vehicles, including 18 electric vehicle charging spaces.

Members of the public can now comment on plans for a new railway station in East Linton

A footbridge would connect two 175-metre platforms, with space for a total of 19 bicycles spread across both sides of the railway.

A station first opened in the village in 1846 but, in the 1960s, it fell victim to the Beeching report.

The application comes at the same time as councillors in the neighbouring Scottish Borders gave the green light to a new station at Reston.

The Berwickshire village has been without a passenger rail service for more than 50 years.

Allison Cosgrove, vice-chairwoman of Dunpender Community Council, which covers East Linton, felt that a new station would benefit East Linton “greatly”.

She said: “It will enable people to get around easier. There is a good bus service to Edinburgh but it does take quite a while.

“A station will enable people to access Edinburgh for education, further education and opportunities as well for people going south.”

Members of the public can now comment on plans for a new railway station in East Linton

She also highlighted the tourism boost that the Borders Railway had brought to towns such as Galashiels, with hopes the new station could do similar for East Linton.

If the new station at East Linton is approved, it is hoped it could be open and welcoming passengers for the first time by the end of 2024.

Already, East Lothian Council has committed more than £3 million towards the station project.

Councillor Paul McLennan, who also represents the Dunbar and East Linton ward, said there was “overwhelming” support for the return of a station to the village.

Mr McLennan has been in discussions with East Linton residents who had concerns about the station being near to the village’s primary school.

Plans are being drawn up for a virtual meeting, which is due to take place tomorrow (Wednesday), where representatives of Network Rail and East Lothian Council could listen to any potential issues.

The councillor was unable to comment fully on the plans but added: “I’m delighted it has reached this stage.”

Iain Gray, MSP for East Lothian, said: “This is another welcome step towards delivering East Linton’s new station and the opportunities that will come with it.

“While progress on this project has been painfully slow at times, I hope the village’s residents can now finally start to look forward to the station becoming a reality.”