FEARS have been raised that a much-delayed railway station might not be built for another seven years.

Calls have been ongoing for a station to return to East Linton for a number of years.

In February, it looked like everything was in place after the parties involved agreed on a proposal to build a new station.

At that time, it was hoped the station could open in 2021.

However, Dunbar and East Linton ward member Councillor Norman Hampshire fears that date could be optimistic and suggested at Dunbar’s community council meeting on Monday that it might be 2023 or even 2024 before it is built.

Recently, he attended a meeting, alongside Rail Action Group East of Scotland (RAGES), with MSPs and representatives of Network Rail about the plans.

Mr Hampshire said: “Every time we seem to be getting closer to getting the station, things keep getting put back, put back, put back.”

Already, East Lothian Council has agreed to put forward more than £3 million for the station, with Scottish Borders Council doing similar for a station at Reston.

The new East Lothian station would not be on the site of the former station in the village, which closed in 1964, and instead would be created to the west.

But even if the station were built in the coming months it would not mean trains could stop there.

The councillor said improvement works had to be carried out elsewhere on the line before the station could be up and running.

Mr Hampshire stressed it was important that pressure was kept on to ensure the possibility of the station being in operation did not slip any further.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “A decision was taken between Transport Scotland and East Lothian Council to integrate the construction of East Linton Railway Station within a larger programme of works in the next rail investment period of 2019 to 2024.

“All parties are committed to the development of East Linton Railway Station and we continue to routinely engage with local stakeholders on its development.

“We look forward to continuing to work with East Lothian Council, ensuring local communities can benefit from transport infrastructure which meets their needs.”

A council spokeswoman added: “The 2021 date is an aspiration date that RAGES/others have stated the station should be open by.

“However, professionals in the rail industry are being more cautious as there are significant challenges.

“Both stations will be considered as part of a package of rail interventions on the East Coast. Consequently a detailed assessment of all interventions and their interactions need to be understood before a realistic date can be announced.

“East Linton will not be looked at in isolation and as stated there are many factors and variables to be taken into account, but East Lothian Council is working to try and deliver this station as soon as practicable.”