New lease of life for railway stations given funding

Several Scottish railway stations are to be given a new lease of life through a special funding programme.

The five sites have secured money from the Station Community Regeneration Fund.

The £1m pot is designed to help create new businesses and premises.

Dundee, Kilmarnock, Cupar, Dumbarton Central and Kinghorn stations will all receive money for projects including shops and arts facilities.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said: "By re-investing in the station environment and bringing redundant buildings back to life, we are opening up new employment opportunities, while communities benefit through the creation of new local facilities.

"These five projects are ideal examples of the type of investment we can offer as we re-open the scheme to the next round of applications."

Steve Montgomery, managing director of ScotRail, added: "We welcome these successful applications which open up new possibilities across Scotland and underpin our commitment to put stations at the heart of communities."

Dundee railway station received the largest award of £59,500, which will go towards setting up a new arts headquarters.

Kilmarnock station has been awarded £40,000 to develop a charity shop, while Cupar station was given £37,000 for a heritage centre.

Dumbarton Central station received £24,000 towards the the cost of a new cafe and Kinghorn station is to receive £7,500 for an artists' studio.

The next round of applications for funding will close in October this year.