This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Edinburgh station upgrade
20/04/2004
The first phase of work to increase much needed capacity at Waverley Station in Edinburgh was announced today.
Design work will start this month on improving access to the station and increasing platform capacity to deliver real benefits for passengers. The Executive is fully funding this first £3.7 million of design work for the redevelopment.
The first phase will provide:
• An increase in the number of trains which Waverley can accommodate from 24 to 28 by the end of 2007;
• Two new through platforms at Waverley by Spring 2007;
• Escalators, lifts and a protective canopy on Waverley Steps by 2007;
• A new platform at Haymarket Station by Autumn 2006.
This first phase of redevelopment must be carried out before work could start on any further upgrade. Proposals for Waverley station have been considered by a steering group led by the Strategic Rail Authority, with the Scottish Executive, Network Rail and Edinburgh City Council. All parties are committed to taking this first phase forward for the benefit of the thousands of passengers who use Waverley station every day.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen said:
"The redevelopment of Waverley is the key to unlocking the potential of Scotland's railways and beginning detailed design work is a significant step forward to delivering better services for passengers and business.
"We want to introduce new services that allow more people to travel by train and extra track capacity and platforms at Waverley Station are vital to these plans. They will handle the new, longer trains we are bringing in between Glasgow and Edinburgh, additional services from Fife and the new services that will use the reopened Airdrie to Bathgate line.
"Our plans for Scotland's railways are ambitious, long-term and focussed on promoting Scotland's future economic prosperity. The first phase of improvements at Waverley are important. But we are also looking to its full-scale redevelopment and the design work will keep this on track too.
"The estimated cost of Phase One development is £150 million. This is a priority project for the Executive and the Strategic Rail Authority, and we are working closely with them, Network Rail and Edinburgh City Council to take this forward. Decisions on future funding will be taken following the UK and Scottish Spending Reviews."
The number of trains using Waverley has increased by 50 per cent over the past 15 years to 576 per day and the station has effectively reached capacity for trains from the West End. Passenger numbers will continue to grow beyond the 14.4 million passengers per year currently using the station.
Ron McAulay, Regional Director of Network Rail said:
"I welcome the Minister's announcement today to fund the final design and development works for the first phase of Waverley Station's redevelopment.
"The future of so many other railway projects is dependent on arriving at the right solution for Waverley Station. It is the key to new services and expansion of existing services. This is one of many Scottish Executive supported projects that Network Rail is delighted to be helping to develop.'"
Richard Bowker, Chairman of the Strategic Rail Authority, said:
"The SRA is pleased to have chaired the Project Steering Group and we look forward to our continued involvement in the project. We are satisfied that all members of the Steering Group have agreed on the way forward - moving on to the development of the design stage of Phase One. Once funding is secured to enable the construction of Phase One we are confident that this will result in a real improvement for passengers and users of the station."
Councillor Donald Anderson, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council said:
"I very much welcome this investment from the Scottish Executive as Waverley Station is the gateway to Edinburgh, and indeed to Scotland, for many people.
"We all share high aspirations to make Waverley one of the best and most modern railway stations in Europe. We will continue to press for the comprehensive redevelopment of one of Scotland's most important transport hubs. The design work and first £150m phase of work is a major first step in achieving this."
The Executive provided £2 million to support preparatory work at Waverley, including site investigations and modelling work required to help inform the design and layout of a re-developed station.
The first phase of redevelopment would include work to increase the capacity of the station's 'West Throat' and the number of through platforms from 4 to 6. The new platforms would be located on the north side of the Klondyke Wall and the south side of the Balmoral Wall. It is estimated that this work would cost £150 million.