Media centre

Wednesday 13 Dec 2023

New East Linton station opens for passengers

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

East Linton’s new £15m railway station welcomed its first passengers today (December 13) as the town re-joined the rail network after almost six decades.

Transport Minister Fiona Hyslop was joined on the first train to East Linton from Edinburgh by a wide range of local people and groups who had campaigned for the return of the station and those involved in its construction.

The train was greeted on arrival by a piper and the Minister was joined by local school children from East Linton Primary school to celebrate the return of passenger services to the town.

The Minister unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the new station, which restores a rail link lost when the original station closed in 1964.

The reconnection of East Linton to the national rail network follows completion of work to construct the station and is part of the Scottish Government’s ongoing investment in Scotland’s Railway.

Around 130,000 journeys are expected to be made to and from East Linton in the first year of its operation.

Commuters will be able to connect into Edinburgh Waverley, with direct access to the East Coast Main Line also available for services to Dunbar and Newcastle. As well as improving transport connectivity, the station will help transform the economic outlook of the area it will serve.

Services at the station will be provided by both ScotRail and TransPennine Express with 22 services a day calling at East Linton and a journey time to Edinburgh of 20 minutes.

The new station boasts two 158m long platforms and is fully accessible with step-free access across the railway via a footbridge with lifts.

Fiona Hyslop, Minister for Transport, said: “The new East Linton station is the latest example of this Scottish Government’s commitment to building and investing in Scotland’s Railway. Our aim is to encourage more people out of their car and onto sustainable public transport.

“The station will open up education, leisure, and business opportunities for East Linton’s growing community, while also offering greener ways to travel as we work towards our ambitious Net Zero goals.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has worked to deliver this project, on the ground and in the background, as we look forward to welcoming passengers for many years to come.”

Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland’s Railway, said: “The new East Linton station is an exciting development that has the potential to help transform the area by improving transport links and triggering further investment and economic growth.

“The station will offer East Linton’s growing population a more sustainable, cleaner travel option and is an important part of our commitment – alongside the Scottish Government – to expand the rail network and open-up Scotland’s Railway to new communities.

“Our project team has worked incredibly hard to deliver this new station and we look forward to seeing the positive impact the station will have in the community in years to come.”

East Lothian Council Leader Norman Hampshire said: “The arrival of the first train at the new East Linton Station is an historic moment for the local community. After so many decades without passenger services, people living and working in the area are very excited and will benefit greatly from improved transport connections.

“East Lothian Council has invested almost £3.5 million in this fantastic new infrastructure. With the county being one of Scotland’s fastest growing areas, we believe the new station can also boost the local economy.”

Chris Jackson, managing director of TransPennine Express, said: “This is a landmark day for East Linton and for TPE, and we’re delighted we’ve been able to work with our partners to help connect communities in the Scottish Borders.

“For the first time in nearly six decades, rail services are calling at East Linton and it was fantastic to see so many using our newly named ‘Hailes Castle’ train this morning.”