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Wednesday 21 Jun 2017

Consultation opens on future of Breich station

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

A 12 week consultation about the future of Breich station will open on Monday, July 10, with views being sought from rail users and the local community.

The unmanned West Lothian station, on the Shotts route connecting Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Central, is currently served by one train service per day in each direction, six days a week.

The official footfall figure for the station in 2015-16 was 138 passengers, an average of 2.6 passengers per week.

The Shotts route is currently undergoing modernisation as part of a programme of electrification and Network Rail estimates that a saving of £1.4million could be made if the Scottish Government opted to close the station rather than modernise it.

Breich is located between Addiewell to the east and Fauldhouse to the west and both towns are served by railway stations. Addiewell station is two miles from Breich while Fauldhouse station is 2.9 miles away. Breich is also served by two bus services.

David Dickson, infrastructure director for the ScotRail Alliance, which includes Network Rail, said: “We take pride in the role we have played in growing Scotland’s Railway in recent years. Where there is proof of demand, such as the Airdrie-Bathgate route and along the Borders Railway, we have actively supported the opening of new stations and the reopening of old ones.

“As a responsible steward of the railway and a publicly run organisation, it is also Network Rail’s responsibility to ensure that we consider value for money in relation to the operation of station and rail services.

“The current and projected demand for rail services to and from Breich is very low. Closure of the station must be considered as an option, however, the views of the local community are vital when making a decision on its future.

“I encourage anyone with an interest in Breich Station to read through our consultation document and share their views with us. A report will be submitted to Transport Scotland in October 2017 for consideration.”

Residents of Breich will be consulted directly via letter and through public drop-in events Network Rail will be hosting in Woodmuir primary school in Breich from 3:15pm to 7pm on June 28 and August 30.

A consultation document has also been produced to help fully explain the rationale for considering closure. This can be downloaded at the following link: www.networkrail.co.uk/breichstation

Printed copies can be requested by emailing: breichstation@networkrail.co.uk or by writing to Breich Station Consultation, Community Relations, Network Rail, 151-153 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5NW.

The consultation document will also be made available at the following libraries:

West Calder Library, EH55 8DR

Whitburn Library, EH47 0AR

Blackburn Library, EH47 7LG

Fauldhouse Library, EH47 9JB.