Row over new station for town
Rapidly expanding Winchburgh may not get its promised railway station as costs have soared in a decade and developers question the commuter demand post covid.
Head of planning Craig McCorriston told a meeting of the development and transport policy development and scrutiny panel (PDSP) that the council had not been allowed to make the station a condition of Winchburgh’s growth - on the command of the government agency Transport Scotland.
However the developers at Winchburgh say the proposed train station is still in the masterplan.
He told the meeting: “The council has not been party to the commercial discussions between Winchburgh Developments Limited (WDL) and Transport Scotland but the lead developer is now indicating that the cost estimates are not affordable given cost escalation on estimates by the transport authority and other significant transport infrastructure cost pressures.”
It is understood that the increase in costs for the station alone may be around £10 million. Mr McCorriston added: “In view of these increased costs and reflecting on the impacts of covid-19, which WDL suggest will reduce the need for rail commuting, WDL has indicated that it will have to progress discussions on an alternative public transport strategy without reliance on rail transport, unless the balance of funding for the station can be secured from another source.”
Any other solutions proposed by the developers such as buses, were viewed as “suboptimal,” Mr McCorriston told the meeting.
Council officers sought permission to explore funding through the city region deal to make up the difference in development budget to ensure the station is built.
A Winchburgh Developments (WDL) spokesman said: “Current estimates for a new station on the existing mainline have escalated significantly from before the electrification of the mainline and since. Winchburgh Developments Ltd strongly supports the suggestion that uncommitted funds in the City Region Deal for unlocking infrastructure potential should be considered for Winchburgh.
“The company, which continues to deliver on the ambitions of the original masterplan for the community, has already worked constructively with the council and Scottish Government to provide new primary and secondary schools for Winchburgh’s young people.”
Chief executive of WDL John Hamilton added: “We have always wanted a railway station to serve Winchburgh and our commitment to delivering that is as strong as ever.
“The railway station is a regional transport asset and requires a regional planning solution, involving ourselves, West Lothian Council, National Rail and the Scottish Government.
“The challenge is on a similar scale to that involved in securing the new schools but what that experience shows is that by working together we can achieve success. It’s essential that we see urgent progress on this before further development impacts on delivery or increases costs.”
We continue to deliver on ambitions of original masterplan