PRELIMINARY works, which could see a second platform and a footbridge created at Dunbar Railway Station, have been carried out.

Network Rail is looking at the possibility of creating a second platform, which would be on the southern side of the line, at Hallhill.

Councillor Norman Hampshire was at the town's community council meeting last Monday night.

He told members that a contractor for Network Rail had turned up at Salisbury Walk last week to carry out work.

The station falls on the edge of the town's conservation area and any proposals for a second platform or footbridge would need planning permission.

The second platform would likely be connected by a footbridge over the existing line as well as lifts for disabled people looking to use the railway station.

The councillor, who lives on Salisbury Walk, told the Courier: “Whatever is built there has to be in keeping with the station there.”

Last month, a spokesman for Network Rail confirmed a second platform was “being considered”.

However, he stressed they were only in “the early stages” of planning and design and it was too early to put any cost or timescale on the project.

A second platform would allow increased flexibility for trains calling and passing the station.

The spokesman confirmed: “Engineers have been carrying out site survey and ground investigation works - one of the early things we do when assessing an engineering project to make sure we understand the ground conditions as that can affect costs and construction methods/timescales.”

Councillor Michael Veitch, who was also at the community council meeting, stressed any work to create a second platform was entirely separate from discussions surrounding the car park on the Station Road side of the line.

Mr Veitch recently met with ScotRail to discuss potentially extending the car park and regarding the possible scrapping of parking charges.

The councillor described the meeting as “very helpful” and said more talks were being lined up to discuss the two issues further.