Rail campaigners appeared on TV this week to argue the case for a new station at Reston on the Edinburgh to Berwick line.

The BBC Landward programme featured the campaign organised by RAGES, the Rail Action group, East of Scotland.

Barrie Forrest was interviewed at Reston along with local twins who have to university via Berwick, adding 40 miles to their journey.

The group wants platforms to be built at Reston and East Linton as well as other improvements to rail services between Edinburgh and Berwick, including a proper local service.

In August, Scottish transport minister Stewart Stevenson visited the site of the station at Reston, as well as going to East Linton and Dunbar.

He was accompanied to East Linton and Dunbar by local MSP Iain Gray and at Reston by MSP John Lamont.

Campaigners from RAGES, local councillors and other interested parties also attended.

In 2002, RAGES handed over a petition of 1,862 signatures to the Scottish Parliament but t we were advised to develop links with the Scottish Borders Council with a view to helping in a feasibility study into the reopening of Reston station.  

The study was presented to the Scottish Executive, and in 2004 it agreed to fund 50% of the next stage of the process, a Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance 1, undertaken by consultants Scott Wilson.

The STAG 1 report on rail and road connections between Edinburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed was released in 2005 and said the possibility of a local rail service with new or reopened stations at East Linton and Reston was worthy of further examination at the more detailed STAG 2 analysis stage.

The BBC Landward programme can be seen at bbciplayer
until 31 October 2008

Information from Russell Darling

More info: www.rages.org.uk/