Wednesday 24 Mar 2021
Reston Station construction is underway
- Region & Route:
- Scotland’s Railway: Scotland
Work is now underway to build the new Reston station in the Scottish Borders.
Following successful completion of preparatory work, primarily diverting an existing water main, the team on site have now started work to create the embankments for the new station platforms.
It is the first phase of construction activity which will see a station open in the Borders village of Reston for the first time in more than half a century.
The plans for Reston will see the construction of a two-platform station on the East Coast mainline, with 70 car parking spaces and a new access road to the station. The station itself will be fully accessible with lifts and a footbridge connecting both platforms.
Work from now until the end of June will see the creation of embankments for, and the start of construction work on the new platforms, drainage built on the new access road and pilling to support the installation of new signalling and overhead line equipment.
Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity 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.”
Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway 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."
Councillor Gordon Edgar, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Infrastructure, Transport and Travel, 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.”
Network Rail is encouraging anyone with any questions about the project to email restonstation@networkrail.co.uk or call our 24-hr helpline on 03457 11 41 41.
Notes to Editors
Notes to Editors
A station opened in the village of Reston in 1846 but the last passenger services stopped in 1964.
With construction work now underway, Network Rail has sent a letter to the community around the station site updating on progress and advising of forthcoming work which will see an increase in the number of lorries and construction vehicles moving to and from site and active on the site itself.
Due to COVID-19, there will continue to be more vehicles than would normally be expected to ensure compliance with safety and social distancing measures.
The plans for the new station at Reston propose;
- Two new 270m long, 4m wide station platforms and associated furniture (waiting shelters, seating and ticket machines) and 1.5m steel fence to rear of both platforms. The embankment will be widened to accommodate the platforms;
- A new footbridge will cross the railway, incorporating lift shafts and stairs on either side. The north lift shaft would reach a height of around 17m and will serve three levels: the interchange (ground level), the north platform, and the bridge crossing.
The southern shaft will sit raised off the embankment serving the southern platform and bridge crossing only, with an overall height of around 13m. The crossing will sit at least 6.2m above the height of the railway, and around 13.5m above the level of the car park;
- Escape stairs and footpaths on either end of the platforms, on both sides;
- Lighting columns throughout the site and associated infrastructure/ equipment including CCTV
- At Reston Main Street, a new mini roundabout will be created close to the existing junction with the Orchard, which will be closed to vehicles.
- From the new mini roundabout, a new road and footway/ cycle path will be created parallel with The Orchard to serve both the new station and the Orchard.
- Towards the railway embankment, a new transport interchange will be created. A one-way loop road will serve a car park, bus stop with shelter and a drop-off space. The car park will provide an initial 70 spaces including blue badge priority parking and electric vehicle charging.
The application allows for a 40-space extension. Land to the north is included within the proposed site to safeguard further land for potential later expansion of the car park.
Cycle storage facilities will be provided.
Reston Station will represent an investment of circa £20m in our infrastructure.
We are currently awaiting a final construction programme for the project and will announce an intended completion date for the project as soon as it is confirmed.
Transport Scotland is working with the industry regarding service patterns at the station.
Contact information
Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41
Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries
Journalists
Network Rail press office - Owen Campbell
NR Press Office 0141 555 4108 / 07515 617073
Owen.Campbell1@networkrail.co.uk
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