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At the public meeting held on 24 September 1999 in a packed Reston Community Centre, there were approximately 115 people present. |
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Tom Thorburn, the RAGES Chairman, welcomed everyone in the audience and introduced the top table. |
 Euan Robson, MSP, Roxburgh and Berwickshire |
 John Ross Scott, Chairman, South East of Scotland Transport Partnership |
 Peter Fuller, Transport Manager, Scottish Borders Council |
 Chris Budzynski, Berwick Borough Surveyor |
 Alan Macmillan, Railtrack Account Surveyor Scottish Stations |
 Ray Stringer, Chairman, Reston and Auchencrow Community Council |
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The chairman gave apologies from the local MP, Archy Kirkwood, who had indicated his support in a letter to RAGES. |
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Also present in the audience were Willie Scott from the Railway Development Society, Drew Tulley the Convenor of Scottish Borders Council and councillors John Elliot and David Jones. |
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In his introduction, Euan Robson said that he was supportive of the initiative and the Scottish Parliament are aware of the situation. He felt that it would be of commercial benefit for the area and improve commuter services. He stated that the RAGES survey will give a measure of possible local usage, but that there are many questions to be answered and that a feasibility study should be undertaken. In summary he felt that a train station in Reston would be excellent for the Borders and surrounding area. |
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Peter Fuller said that with a change of Government and Government policy the emphasis is more on passenger/freight from road to rail. Capital is available for rail projects from the government and new money is available from the Strategic Rail Authority. Road user charges will provide money in the future and new trains will be required. |
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John Ross Scott indicated that the emphasis should be on the central line rather than Reston at the moment. He is also concerned that Berwick Station would lose customers or status and he supports the dualling of the A1. An integrated transport system should be developed for all Lothian Regions. All transport systems require support and investment from the government. |
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Chris Budzynski informed the meeting that two trains serve Chathill then wait in Belford for twenty minutes for a slot to return; they are therefore actively seeking to re-open Belford station. They are looking for grant aid from the Rural Transport Development Fund and the emphasis should be on public transport and away from cars. He does not foresee any A1 dualling in the immediate future. |
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Alan Macmillan, from Railtrack, said that they will support any initiative to improve the rail network/stations. Capital costs are high and revenue income cannot be the principal |
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source of finance. He agreed that a detailed feasibility study is required by all the main players. |
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Public Question Time |
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The main points raised during the public question time were:- |
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Question. Members from the top table should work more closely together with the view to re-opening Reston Station. The expected cost of £750,000 is not much to spend on a station or £1m for a train set. Time slowing down for trains can easily be made up and the A1 is regularly blocked. |
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John Ross Scott - Political will is not yet in place to undertake this size of project. |
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Peter Fuller - It would be a local train service and not an Intercity type of train. |
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Q. Will ScotRail go to Newcastle? |
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Tom Thorburn - Hopes ScotRail will run from Edinburgh to Berwick. |
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Q. What effect will a train station have on other public transport services i.e. buses? |
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Tom Thorburn - These should provide a feeder service to the station. |
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Q. We always see investment given for work in Central Scottish Borders e.g. Newtown St Boswells. Why not here? |
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Drew Tulley - The whole of the Borders requires a transport system. A study is required in this area for a sprinter service. Look beyond the Borders when the service is being provided and lobby for more investment in public transport. |
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Q. There needs to be more enthusiasm from the top table and public transport should provide a service for the public. A through service would be more sensible than a shuttle. |
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Euan Robson - the only way to proceed from here is a feasibility study and we require accurate costs from Railtrack. |
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Q. Are there any critical factors affecting the re-opening of Reston station? |
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Alan Macmillan - Network capacity and Waverley area capacity, but signalling is the biggest technical problem. Provision must be made sooner rather than later if it is to happen. |
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Q. Where will the car park be? Get the lorries off the road onto the railway. |
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Tom Thorburn - A local landowner is happy to provide land for car parking. |
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Euan Robson - Problems on the road are as a result of road types changing (single to dual carriageway) - but must try to get freight off road. Not no work on A1 but not major. |
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John Ross Scott - Park and ride would follow when the station arrives and we must get freight off the road. |
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Q. What is happening at Tweedmouth regarding the freight facility proposal? |
