Campaign continues to reopen closed Mauchline train station

Backers say support for the project is growing across communities, businesses and political parties, with fresh efforts now focused on building the detailed case needed to turn decades of ambition into reality.

The ‘Mauchline Train Station Campaign’ is preparing for the next crucial stage – a formal transport appraisal – which could determine whether the town finally regains the rail link it lost in the Beeching cuts more than 60 years ago.

While the Scottish Government has so far stopped short of backing the project as a national priority, campaigners insist the case for change is only getting stronger.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "The reopening of a Mauchline station was considered as part of the second Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2).

"However, the accompanying transport appraisal did not find enough evidence to support it becoming a national priority for future rail investment. Nonetheless, there remains a path for regional or local rail proposals to come forward.

"Rail proposals will be considered subject to a strong business case, Scottish Government priorities, our rail investment strategy and affordability."

An anticipated meeting with the Transport Secretary in March 2026 was delayed by the Holyrood election and changes within the Scottish Government, but the campaign remains active and continues to seek that engagement.

Group chair, Lynne Vint, along with councillor Alyson Simmons (Image: Charlie Gilmour)

Group chair Lynne Vint said: "Support remains very strong and, in many respects, has grown wider.

"The original community survey showed that around 90 per cent of responding households regarded the return of the station as Mauchline’s top priority.

"The positive response at Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce was particularly encouraging, because it showed that the economic case for a station is being recognised beyond Mauchline itself.

"The campaign is also increasingly being seen as something that could benefit Ballochmyle and surrounding rural communities, rather than being solely a village project."

Recent work has focused on strengthening the organisation and preparing the campaign for the next formal stage.

This has included meetings with East Ayrshire Council officials, Transport Scotland, elected representatives, business organisations and housing developers.

In addition, members have been examining how other reopened stations have been developed, considering the evidence needed for a business case and exploring possible sources of professional advice for a feasibility or appraisal study.

The STAG (Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance) process will need to examine passenger demand, transport problems, economic benefits, possible station locations, road access, parking, rail timetabling and the wider benefits for Mauchline and surrounding communities.

Importantly, the campaign is also able to draw upon earlier illustrative concept work prepared by Network Rail, presented to the group in January 2024.

Support came from local school pupils. (Image: Newsquest)

This means that the possibility of restoring a station has already received some credible technical consideration; these concepts would still need to be reviewed and developed through the formal appraisal and business case process.

Lynne added: "The campaign will also continue pressing East Ayrshire Council for the allocation of funds towards the STAG process, and for the Scottish Government to be actively involved, since a project of this scale cannot be delivered by a community campaign group alone.

"We are so thankful for the local support, which is steadfast, but what we really need now is those with the levers of power who can open the financial avenues so that we can move from words to action."