THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT has provided a new fund of £30 million which will be used to upgrade stations and could also provide some new ones.

The funding was announced by transport minister Keith Brown when he visited Alloa station. Alloa itself was reopened four years ago when the line from Stirling was restored, and is now used by 400,000 passengers a year.

The move has been welcomed by passenger groups and business leaders, and follows a major controversy surrounding the Government's consultation into the shape of Scottish rail services after 2014 which suggested that some stations could be closed – either because they are barely used or because they are near another one.

Scottish ministers quickly distanced themselves from the less popular parts of the consultation paper, which had been drawn up by the government department Transport Scotland, and have recently confirmed that East Coast intercity services from England will continue to serve Aberdeen and Inverness. Transport Scotland had triggered a storm of protest when it suggested that such services could terminate at Edinburgh in future, with Highland passengers changing to ScotRail services there.

Promoters of new and upgraded stations, such as developers or local authorities, will now be able to apply for a share of the new fund.

Mr Brown, who pointed out that rail investment from the Scottish Government will be £426 million this year, said: “The Scottish Stations Investment Fund will give existing stations a major makeover and see the Scottish Government put money towards new stations alongside local authorities, transport partnerships and developers.

“New and better stations are a major part of attracting more people on to our rail services and providing sustainable, integrated and cost-effective alternatives to the private car as well as supporting jobs in the construction sector.

“I believe that passengers, the rail network and the wider economy will benefit significantly."