Monday November 17th 2025
West Lothian Council headquarters
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Stuart Sommerville
West Lothian Council has led an application to secure funding for a new railway station at Winchburgh.
The bid to the Scottish Government is a crucial step in the development of a new station for West Lothian. Train operator ScotRail welcomed the bid.
While no figure has been mentioned evidence from other new stations opened in Scotland suggests development costs could be around the £15m to £20m mark.
On the drawing board for more than a decade, station plans were approved by the council last month to bring commuter services to the rapidly expanding community.
The council has now submitted the funding request with the support of its partners in Winchburgh Developments Ltd, the Edinburgh & South East Scotland City Region Joint Committee, the South East of Scotland Transport Partnership, Network Rail, Transport Scotland and ScotRail.
The request identifies the City Region Deal’s commitment of at least £50 million to support delivery of seven strategic housing sites, including Winchburgh, as a potential funding source, although partners have also indicated their willingness to pursue alternative Scottish Government funding routes if required.
The funding bid is supported by the City Region Deal. City Region Deals are packages of funding agreed between the Scottish Government, the UK Government and local partners. They are designed to bring about long-term strategic approaches to improving regional economies, aiming to help harness additional investment, create new jobs and accelerate economic growth.
The request for funding follows on from the granting of planning permission for the station in October.
The request is underpinned by an outline business case demonstrating the strong transport and economic benefits the new station will deliver, from improved connectivity to major reductions in car-based commuting.
The outline business case projects that by 2030 around 625 passengers will use the station each day.
It also shows exceptionally strong value for money, with a cost–benefit ratio of 2.1 before any passenger revenue is counted, rising to between 4.26 and 5.6 when the revenue generated by the station is included.
The new station will also bring benefits to surrounding towns. Linlithgow has had to cope with rising parking problems as more people use the station to commute.
Commenting on the submission of the funding bid the Leader of West Lothian Council Lawrence Fitzpatrick said: “We all want to improve our local economy and grow opportunity and investment in West Lothian and this is a significant step forward. It’s extremely encouraging to see this project continuing to move forward at pace this year which reflects the positive collaboration between all parties. A station would bring lasting benefits to Winchburgh and surrounding communities.”
John Hamilton, CEO of Winchburgh Developments Ltd, said: “Today’s funding submission is a really important moment for Winchburgh and for the wider region. We have invested heavily in the infrastructure needed to support one of Scotland’s fastest-growing communities, and a new station is the final, critical piece in that transport jigsaw.
“A rail connection will give residents quicker, cleaner journeys, reduce pressure on local roads and help unlock further jobs and investment. In planning and delivery terms the project is ready to proceed if full funding is secured. We’re looking forward to continuing to work with West Lothian Council, the Scottish Government and our transport partners to turn this long-held ambition for a station into reality.”
Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said: “ScotRail welcomes the progress being made by West Lothian Council and partners as they take this next step in the development of proposals for a station at Winchburgh. Improving connectivity and supporting sustainable travel across Scotland’s Railway are important priorities for ScotRail, and we’ll continue to engage constructively with all parties as the plans progress.”
Chair of the ESESCR Joint Committee, Edinburgh Councillor Jane Meagher said: “In Scotland’s fastest-growing region with significant new housing being built, we must ensure that people are given the option to travel sustainably for work and education. Rail is one of those sustainable options.
“Winchburgh Railway Station will improve local connectivity and support people to take the train instead of their car, while also contributing to sustainable economic growth. This investment represents an important step forward in achieving our ambition of a more well-connected region.”
Brian Butler, Partnership Director at SEStran, said: “We welcome this funding proposal, which supports the delivery of the Regional Transport Strategy, provides more sustainable transport options for existing and future residents, and strengthens connectivity across the region. This project reflects the strong collaboration between partners and our shared commitment to creating greener, more inclusive travel choices that will benefit communities for years to come.”
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