East Linton's new £15m railway station opened this morning (Wednesday) as the county welcomes the latest expansion to its rail network.
Fiona Hyslop MSP, Scottish Government Minister for Transport, was present for the opening, with pupils from East Linton Primary School waiting on the platform to welcome the first passenger train to stop in the village in 60 years.
The new station features two platforms, 114 car parking spaces, including blue badge priority parking, and 18 electric vehicle charging points.
Commuters from East Linton will be able to travel to and from Edinburgh Waverley, with direct access to the East Coast Main Line also available for services to Dunbar and Newcastle.
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East Linton station will be served by five ScotRail services a day to Edinburgh and six ScotRail services a day to Dunbar. These services will also call at Musselburgh and Wallyford.
Five TransPennine Express services a day to Edinburgh and six ScotRail services a day to Newcastle per week day will also run.
The first train to call at East Linton station will be a standard passenger service from Edinburgh; however the front carriage will be reserved for local 'stakeholders' and those involved in the wider project to develop and deliver the new station.
This first service will leave Edinburgh Waverley at 10.10am, arriving in East Linton at 10.33am.
The first train will depart from East Linton at 11.08am.
Councillor Norman Hampshire, East Lothian Council leader, shared his excitement that a project worked on for many years was coming to fruition.
He said: “The completion of East Linton Station is a very exciting milestone for the local community.
“Having invested in the project, East Lothian Council believes the new station will deliver significant benefits to the local area.
“People living and working in the area are eagerly anticipating the return of passenger services to East Linton after so long.
“The sight of the first service to call at the station will undoubtedly be a memorable and special occasion.
“With East Lothian being one of Scotland’s fastest growing areas, the new station will enhance public transport connections as well as benefiting the economy.”
Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland’s Railway, was also delighted to see a station return to the village almost 60 years after passenger services ended at East Linton.
He said: “The project team has worked hard to deliver this new station, which will expand the rail network and connect Scotland’s Railway to new communities.”
"The station is fully accessible with lifts and a new footbridge connecting both platforms, with access for pedestrians and cyclists."
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has authorised the launch of the new station – putting in the final checks before the milestone.
Steve Fletcher, deputy director of engineering and asset management at ORR, said: "This new railway station is a really significant upgrade for the local community and we have been working closely with the team at Network Rail to ensure the station is completed safely and to the standard passengers deserve.
"ORR plays a vital role in enforcing common rules and standards on the nation’s railway infrastructure. We’re pleased to have played our part in the opening of this station."
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