East Lothian Courier | News | Bid for trains at the double

Thursday, 20th November, 2008

Published: Thursday, 7th August, 2008 08:15

Bid for trains at the double

DUNBAR commuters could enjoy on-the-hour trains to the capital for the first time in 30 years if a government consultation gives the green light.

Rising passenger demand on the two-hourly Dunbar-Edinburgh service has prompted Transport Scotland – a Scottish Government agency – to launch a feasibility study on the prospect of doubling provision.

The study, carried out by First ScotRail, is due to start this month and is expected to take from six months to a year to complete. As a result, an extra two trains could be allocated to Dunbar paving the way for an hourly service.

More than 500 commuters a day are reported to use the National Express East Coast and CrossCountry trains from Dunbar to Edinburgh.

Dunbar Community Council chairman, Stephen Bunyan, welcomed a shift to a more localised service, rather than relying on Edinburgh to London cross-border trains.

“The problem has been that we are served by the main line service and the trains passing through are usually heading to the south which has created a feeling here that what was needed was something more local,” he said.

He added: “A major gripe here is that we cannot get back late from Edinburgh and I would hope that would change.”

Currently, the last weekday train from the capital to Dunbar leaves at 9pm.

Transport Scotland plans a weekday 6.30am Dunbar-Edinburgh train, a 9.30pm service (Monday to Thursday) returning from the capital, and at 10.50pm on Fridays.

East Lothian Council transport spokesman, Paul McLennan, said the reintroduction of a local service to the Dunbar area was a main transport objective of East Lothian Council.

“We also see this a first step towards introduction of a station and local service at East Linton and Reston,” he added.

On Tuesday, Transport Minister, Stewart Stevenson, visited Dunbar and East Linton stations and plans to return to the county on Monday to discuss the transport issues with council officials, Sustaining Dunbar representatives, East Lothian Access Panel and Queen Margaret University.

Comments

careabroad

Aug 15 08 15:33

Our Ref: 837

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The proposal to increase the number of trains from Dunbar is to be welcomed.

However, let us remember that we are not the only ones on the Newcastle to Edinburgh railway line whose train service falls far short of the needs of a commuter town of four to eight thousand souls.

We, at least, are served by 11 northbound trains each weekday. A few stops down the line, Pegswood and Widdrington, whose populations are not far short of Dunbar's, see only one.

Cramlington, meanwhile, whose population far exceeds Dunbar's, sees no Sunday trains whatsoever.

Perhaps it is time to introduce an all stations service between Newcastle and Edinburgh?

With careful planning, 1 train could make up to 4 return journeys per day, interworked with current passenger and freight trains.

A 3 car electric train would probably provide the most suitable solution, since many stations en route have short platforms.

I would welcome other's ideas and comments

Mike Page

Dunbar

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