East Linton's new £15m railway station welcomed its first passenger train in almost 60 years today, with Scotland's transport minister praising the part played by local campaigners.
Fiona Hyslop MSP, minister for transport, and East Lothian MSP Paul McLennan were among the VIPs aboard today's historic 10.10am Edinburgh Waverley service bound for the village.
The train left to the sound of bagpipes as it made the 20-or-so minute journey from the Capital to East Linton, via Musselburgh and Wallyford, where it received a rapturous welcome from locals.
Both sides of the platform were packed with residents ready to welcome the train, as pupils from the village primary school watched the memorable occasion while waving to the very first passengers.
The first train to depart East Linton for Edinburgh did so at 11.08am - another historic landmark.
Ms Hyslop spoke to Courier on board the very first service, stressing the event was a "great celebration" for East Linton.
She said: "This is a big moment for the community, yes, but I think it's another testament to Scotland's railways where we are seeing a new station opened.
"It's £15m of investment from the Scottish Government and also East Lothian Council; people have been campaigning here for a long, long time for this.
"But also it will help make sure that people can use their cars less and use more rail and use the train to travel into Edinburgh, cutting journey times for those travelling in and it will help boost the area's economy.
"And of course, it's open three months early, which is great."
Communities across Scotland were becoming better connected, Ms Hyslop added, and the environment benefited from the use of electric trains.
"For the community of East Linton, being able to have that connection to [Dunbar and] Berwick-upon-Tweed to Newcastle and back up to Edinburgh as well, is very important, but it also helps attract people to come and live in the community too."
Asked about the potential future expansion of rail links in the county, notably in Haddington, she preferred to focus on East Linton for the time being.
She said: "In terms on local campaigns for local stations that I know about across Scotland, I know that people would like to see a station in their own area and community.
"Today is really East Linton's day. So I just want to mark the day today and thank everybody that has been involved – all the different partners: ScotRail, Network Rail, SEStran, East Lothian Council, Transport Scotland and of course the local community campaigns that have done so much to bring this to the attention of everyone concerned."
The new station features two platforms, 114 car parking spaces, including blue badge priority parking, and 18 electric vehicle charging points.
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.
Paul McLennan MSP, previously a local councillor for Dunbar and East Linton, shared his delight at the reopening of the station.
He said: "I'm delighted to see it. I remember being elected [to East Lothian Council] 15 years ago and we set up a steering group to get a station in East Linton.
"To be here 15 years later and see the station open is a proud moment but, more importantly, it's a great step forward for the community of East Linton."
The expanded local train network would, he added, bring a " great boost" to the East Lothian economy by generating more tourism and business opportunities.
Members of the community also rejoiced at the return of the station.
Allison Cosgrove, vice-chair of Dunpender Community Council, called the moment "absolutely wonderful".
She said: "To think that we are connected back into the rail network after nearly 60 years is fantastic.
"It will make such a difference, not just for the commuters going to Edinburgh, but for people travelling further south we don't have to drive off to Berwick."
Local representatives were also quick to highlight the occasion.
Kenny MacAskill, East Lothian MP, said: "It's an auspicious day.
"A new station is to be very much welcomed.
"However, to be all it can be and to now properly serve the community the service needs to match the facility.
"We need more trains running as passengers require regularity and flexibility."
While Craig Hoy, South Scotland MSP, said: “The opening of the new station and the long awaited restoration of rail services for East Linton and neighbouring villages is very welcome.
"I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the local campaign groups, particularly RAGES, local residents and Network Rail for all their hard work in helping to secure this much needed service.
"Now the station is open it’s important that rail operators fully service the station with frequent trains that connect East Linton to both Edinburgh, the South and the wider UK rail network.”
And Martin Whitfield, fellow South Scotland MSP, added: "Today’s opening has been a long time coming and I’m really pleased that the station is finally complete and operational.
"It is a significant investment in local transport infrastructure and all those who have been involved in helping to deliver it deserve great credit, especially local RAGES campaigners and East Lothian Council.
"I have heard some concerns expressed about the number of services that are stopping at East Linton, but hope that this can be reviewed over time to ensure the benefits the station brings to the village are maximised.”
Tom Thorburn, honorary president, of Rail Action Group, East of Scotland (RAGES), said: "With the fantastic new East Linton station now open, this brings about a new dawn of travel for the people of East Linton and the surrounding area in the 21st century.
"There now can be little excuse for the motorist driving to Edinburgh and beyond, Newcastle and beyond, or even more locally with the 22 services that are available.
"Yes, there are two large gaps in this timetable, namely some four hours in the morning southbound, and four-and-three-quarter hours northbound in the evening.
"In answer to the critics of these gaps, one has to understand that RAGES successfully took on and won the case to have Reston and East Linton constructed, as there were some within the upper tiers of decision-makers who did not wish to see local stations reopened or indeed a local service on the East Coast Mainline.
"These ‘gaps’ and many other items of tweaks/snags within our area will be pursued along with our main objective, to reopen the Haddington branch and its station/s, where we require the membership’s continued support in our aims.
"Finally, enjoy your new station at East Linton and all that it brings, and a huge thanks to those that worked with and supported RAGES to bring this about."
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