AN “UNPRECEDENTED” level of support is being offered in a bid to see a railway station finally return to East Lothian.

Discussions between East Lothian Council and the Scottish Government over the proposed re-opening of East Linton’s railway station have been ongoing for a number of months.

Now, the Scottish Government has increased its funding offer to enable construction of the station to 60 per cent. That would mean more than £6 million going towards the station, with the council contributing £4m.

A second option has also been offered, which would see East Linton and Reston railway stations’ construction form part of a “programme of works” under the next Network Rail building schedule.

Councillor Michael Veitch, the local authority’s spokesman for transport and roads, was hopeful of things moving forward.

He said: “The Scottish Government have now responded to the council’s updated funding bid. They have set out two potential mechanisms for delivering the station.

“We are in discussions internally and with Scottish Borders Council and RAGES [Rail Action Group East of Scotland] campaigners with a view to which option to take, and we are also seeking a meeting with the transport minister.

“Both options are very technical and complicated, and may involve different amounts of money. It is very important the right option is picked, but that depends on both councils agreeing and there needs to be some sort of formal approval at a council meeting, which could be at the end of the month, and further discussions with the minister.”

A new station in the village would not be on the site of the former station, which closed in 1964.

Issues with access and problems with the camber mean an entirely new station, costing more than £11m, would be created, slightly to the west of the former station.

Mr Veitch described the new station as “within touching distance”, although, even when the funding is in place, the re-opening of the station would not be imminent, with designs to be drawn up and planning permission required.

Humza Yousaf MSP, Scotland’s transport minister, said: “Currently, we fund new stations via the Scottish Stations Fund, with central government funding limited to 50 per cent, the balance being matched by contributions from promoters, whether local authorities or private developers.

“Recognising the budgetary pressures facing all parties concerned, I have written to both local authorities outlining my two potential solutions to the current funding shortfall.

“My first option seeks to address the shortfall by increasing the central government contribution to an unprecedented 60 per cent, the second by incorporating the stations within a larger programme of works.

“The second option would see the stations’ construction form part of a programme of works within the next Network Rail delivery period, which broadly aims to improve capacity to the east of Edinburgh.

“In this second option, the councils are not being required to increase the level of funding above that which they have stated is their limit. In both instances, I would also be seeking a long-term commitment from each council in respect of improved connectivity; for example, by ensuring appropriate bus services to the station from outlying communities and the provision of suitable interchange facilities to maximise the wider economic and social value of the stations.”