TWO projects designed to improve access to Dunbar Railway Station are back on track – just weeks after it looked like they had hit the buffers.

Calls have repeatedly been made to extend the car park at the station while also introducing pedestrian access to the southern platform, as well as additional bicycle storage.

In October, Network Rail said that, while it was supportive of the two schemes, there was not funding in place.

Councillor Norman Hampshire, leader of East Lothian Council and a ward member of the Dunbar and East Linton ward, felt that improvements to the car park were badly needed.

He told members of Dunbar Community Council that progress on the two developments was back on the table.

He said: “The car park is a real mess.

“When people come off the train, the first thing they see is a builders’ yard.

Charged to park

“We have got a commitment that they are going to [look at] that, as well as access from the south. We are looking for a footpath to go to Spott Road so people would walk to the station.”

Currently, demand for parking near the station is so high that vehicles are often parked on neighbouring streets, which causes further issues.

The car park, which has 76 spaces, is the only one at a station in East Lothian where people are charged to park.

The southern platform was opened in December 2019 but the lack of pedestrian access from the south means that people must travel beyond the £13 million platform to the north platform before using a footbridge to cross the tracks and reach the southern platform.

Pippa Swan, chairwoman of the community council, was delighted with the news that the two schemes could soon progress.

'Delighted'

She said: “At the previous meeting, Norman and I were both prepared to go push the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland to unlock the funding.

“That is what we had been told was the problem.

“I am absolutely delighted the funding appears to have been found and it looks like we are going to get the car park and, if I understood correctly, the cycle parking at the southern platform.

“Dunbar Trades’ Association and the community council feel we have to provide decent parking at the station to try to resolve parking on High Street and shoppers’ parking.”

Mrs Swan acknowledged there was a chance that some people would still not want to park at the station due to the parking charge.

However, she felt that having the option could help to alleviate parking issues elsewhere in the town.

Network Rail has been approached for a comment.