Network Rail has announced that construction work to Reston railway station on the Scottish Borders has started.
Last serving passenger trains in 1964, plans are now underway to rebuild the station which is situated on the East Coast Mainline, a vital transport link connecting London to Edinburgh and passing many major cities along the route.
The first stage of the project has been completed, which saw the movement of the main water feed relocated.
Now the teams can focus on the next tasks of the project, these are:
- Forming embankments
- Building two brand new platforms (270 meters long and 4 meters wide), including footbridges with lifts to allow for step-free access
- Creating 70 new parking spaces
- Construct new access road
- Install drainage
- Piling to form foundations for both signalling and overhead line equipment
The above work is due to take place up until June 2021. Due to COVID-19, more vehicles will be used than usual, but measures will be taken to reduce the impact on the local area.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “It is fantastic to see work to build the new station at Reston getting underway. It is another step towards creating new travel opportunities for Reston and the surrounding Borders area.
“The Scottish Government is committed to delivering this scheme, estimated around £20 million, which will have real potential to deliver a number of benefits for the local communities and also help towards our green recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Managing Director of Scotland's Railway Alex Hynes said: “It is great to see work on Reston station getting underway as we are committed to working alongside the Scottish Government to open up our railway to as many communities as possible across Scotland.
“This station will create new social and economic opportunities for people in Reston and the surrounding communities and we will work hard to deliver the new facility for the area as quickly as possible.
“It is an exciting development that has the potential to transform life for local people and the communities it will serve.”
Scottish Borders Council's Executive Member for Infrastructure, Transport and Travel, Councillor Gordon Edgar said: “The Council has provided over £2.3m towards the cost of this project, which will deliver significant benefits to the Berwickshire community, providing easy local access to the east coast mainline services which will in turn make this area more attractive for inward investment and housing growth, which will both support local communities and the economy.
“I look forward to seeing the works progress rapidly.”
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Guarantee that it will be managed by ScotRail once it’s been built. But nine to see Renton have its own railway station back. Perhaps Network Rail could sort out Manors station north of Newcastle Central station on the ECML. And for Northern to operate a stopping service from Newcastle to Chathill.