In Westminster today local MP John Lamont has said it is time to stop the “dither and delay” and bring Reston its new station.
Raising the issue at Business Questions, John Lamont said residents, who had been promised trains would be stopping in Reston by 2016, were being let down by the Scottish Government. He also called for Network Rail to deliver the design of the station as quickly as possible.
In response, the Leader of the House, Andrea Leadsom MP agreed that it was a “very frustrating matter” and backed having a debate in Westminster on how to best deliver rail infrastructure projects quickly.
Scottish Borders Council have already set aside their contribution to the station and the project has now been passed to Network Rail for detailed design and delivery. After that, contracts should be awarded and the planning process followed before work on the ground can start.
The Scottish Government have so far refused to set out a detailed timetable for the next phase for the station, despite requests from John Lamont and local campaigners.
Speaking afterwards, John Lamont MP said: “Residents in Reston in my constituency were promised by the SNP that trains would be stopping at their newly reopened station on the East Coast Mainline by 2016.
“Yet the Scottish Government have dragged their feet for so long, the current timetable has slipped to some-time before 2024. I share the frustration of local residents that no detailed timetable has been forthcoming.
“This project has only just been passed on to Network Rail for detailed design work. When this is complete, I expect the SNP to end their dither and delay and get on with delivering the station they have promised my constituents.
“I will do all I can to work with Ministers and Scottish Borders Council to ensure we can get this station built as quickly as possible.”
