AN OFFER from East Lothian Council of almost £3.5 million could be enough to see a railway station finally return to a county village.

Councillors will consider next week whether to agree to contribute £3.44m to the cost of a station in East Linton.

Already, the local authority has pledged £1.5m to the project, but they are prepared to double that figure.

Councillor Michael Veitch, the local authority’s spokesman for roads and transport, will be among the councillors discussing the issue at a full council meeting in Haddington on Tuesday morning.

Mr Veitch was one of a group who met with Scotland’s transport minister Humza Yousaf earlier this summer.

He said: “Approving this would be the biggest step of all.

“Ultimately, if we get the funding secured everything else will fall into place relatively easily.”

In June, the Scottish Government indicated they were now willing to increase their financial contribution to £5.57m for East Linton, which equates to 50 per cent of the total station costs.

At the same time, £5.32m could go towards Reston station, in the Scottish Borders.

The report before councillors, prepared by Ray Montgomery and Peter Forsyth, head of infrastructure, states: “Following a meeting between both councils and SESTRANS, it was agreed to propose an amended, final offer to Scottish Government which increases the overall contribution from East Lothian Council from £1.5m to £3.44m, with the suggestion that this contribution could be payable post-project completion.

“This would equate to an intervention rate of approximately 38 per cent, an unprecedented level of support by a local authority partner to a project of this kind.

“It was further agreed that it was in both councils’ interest to submit this offer quickly by way of a joint letter to the transport minister, and this letter was subsequently shared by the depute leader with all councillors on August 5.”

If a new station was to be created in East Linton, which could expand with plans for 97 houses and 22 flats at land next to Orchardfield, to the south-west of the village, it would also mean Markle level crossing being closed to traffic.

The report adds: “An alternative footbridge will be required to provide access across the East Coast Main Line within a reasonable walking distance from the crossing.

“This in itself will be technically challenging, with costs expected to be in the region of £1m.

“All efforts would be made to secure funding support towards these works and it would be hoped that funding of at least 50 per cent could be realised.”

Then, if an agreement is reached with the Scottish Government, a revised bid would need to be prepared and submitted to the Scottish Stations Fund.

Mr Veitch felt things were moving in the right direction but acknowledged the first train stopping in East Linton was still likely some way off, with further technical work to be undertaken by Network Rail before a station would be built.

However, he felt getting the funding in place would then ensure it was down to Network Rail and Transport Scotland to see the project progress.

Linton Railway Station opened in June 1846, before being renamed East Linton 18 years later.

The station closed in 1964.