Reston station a possibility, says East Coast transport report
Tuesday, January 17 2006
Reopened rail stations at Reston and East Linton should be among the options considered in improving rail and road services between Edinburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed, according to a high-level transport report.
The recently released study by transport consultants Scott Wilson also recommends that further consideration be given to establishing an express coach service and a new network of local feeder buses, linking the Eastern Borders to East Lothian and Edinburgh.
In its Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) 1 Appraisal report, Scott Wilson lists the following options for further scrutiny:
* A new rail station at East Linton, with a new rail station at Reston as a supplementary option
* A purpose-designed express package with emphasis on services into central Edinburgh
* A new network of local feeder bus services, linked to either new or existing railheads and/or newly dedicated coach service
interchange points.
Brian Young, SBC Transport Policy Manager, said, "The STAG 1 Appraisal investigated a whole raft of transport improvements against agreed planning and socio-economic objectives. A number of the options considered have been ruled out, in that they do not address the agreed objectives. The Consultant has, however, identified three options to be worthy of consideration at the more detailed analysis at STAG Part 2. Scottish Borders Council and East Lothian Council will be meeting with the Scottish Executive in the months ahead to discuss how these might be taken forward."
Councillor Michael Cook, Scottish Borders Council Deputy Leader and member for Eyemouth & District South, added, "A reopened or new station at Reston would be an exciting option which many people in Berwickshire would welcome. However, it is still some way from becoming a reality. The purpose of the STAG 1 Appraisal is to identify options worth further consideration, not to make concrete recommendations, but it is a step in the right direction. This could be a long journey, but improvement in the East Coast rail services is an ambition that this Council shares."
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