Scottish Borders Council’s planning committee has approved proposals which will see a station open in the Borders village of Reston for the first time in more than half a century.
The plans for Reston will see the construction of a two-platform station on the East Coast mainline, with 70 car parking spaces and a new access road to the station. The station itself will be fully accessible with lifts and a footbridge connecting both platforms.
The planning application was submitted back in December 2020 following extensive engagement with the community – necessarily online due to COVID-19 restrictions – and local campaigners who have pushed for the return of the station for more than two decades.
It is generally the case that station projects act as a catalyst to further investment, regeneration and economic development for local areas. It is hoped that the construction of the new Reston station will help revitalise the rural communities of Berwickshire and further afield and will enhance and open-up transport links and improve connectivity.
Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity said:
“I welcome this announcement which is another significant step towards delivery of this important new station and will bring new travel opportunities to Reston and surrounding Borders area.
“The Scottish Government has committed funding for this scheme which will have real potential to deliver a number of benefits for the local communities and also help towards our green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Claire Bhugowandeen, Network Rail’s sponsor for the Reston station project said: “We are pleased Scottish Borders Council has advised that this project can progress. It is an exciting development that has the potential to transform the local community it will serve.
“Now that we have clarity on the planning decision, we can now move to get onsite as quickly as possible and work with our partners to deliver this new station for our customers and the wider Reston community.”
Councillor Gordon Edgar, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Infrastructure, Transport and Travel, said: “The approval of the Reston Station planning application is a vital step towards the reopening of this station and I look forward to seeing the works progress rapidly.
“The Council has provided over £2.3m towards the cost of this project, which will deliver significant benefits to the Berwickshire community, providing easy local access to the east coast mainline services which will in turn make this area more attractive for inward investment and housing growth, which will both support local communities and the economy.”
A station opened in the village of Reston in 1846 but the last passenger services stopped in 1964.
Photo credit: Network Rail
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