Edinburgh Waverley

Waverley station platform renumbering map
Edinburgh Waverley infrastructure works
Newsletter
Edinburgh Waverley Infrastructure Works
Waverley at capacity limit
Key Milestones
Frequently Asked Questions
Links

Waverley station platform renumbering as of 27 December 2006

Click here for the platform renumbering leaflet which will help to ensure you have a smooth journey

Click here for Station Platform Renumbering map

Edinburgh Waverley infrastructure works – Haymarket connection guide

Edinburgh Waverley is undergoing a series of works to ensure that it meets future passenger demand. To enable these improvements, we will be closing several platforms from the end of December 2006 and some local services will be affected. However, you will still be able to travel by train to your destination.

Please download the Haymarket connection guide to see how the changes will affect your journey.

Spring newsletter 2007
Summer newsletter 2006

Edinburgh Waverley Infrastructure Works

The infrastructure works to transform Edinburgh Waverley are well underway by the station’s owner and operator, Network Rail. Fully funded by Transport Scotland, the £150 million programme is due for completion at the end of December 2007.

The vision behind the flagship project is to deliver what passengers need most – improved station access and capacity for more trains. This will make business and recreational journeys easier by lessening congestion, increasing the number of services and ultimately smoothing the journey for everyone.

This will be achieved by delivering the following:

Two new, longer platforms and the reintroduction of platform 5
A new bay platform at Haymarket station to keep traffic at Waverley moving
Extensive track remodelling and new signalling, which will allow four more trains to come through the station per hour each way
Extra platform capacity for longer commuter services
Better access for all, with plans for a mobility-friendly entrance to the station, incorporating a weather-protected canopy over Waverley Steps.

Waverley at capacity limit

In terms of area, Edinburgh Waverley is Britain’s largest train station outside London, with approximately 23 million passengers per year and climbing. Over the past 15 years, the number of trains has increased by 50% to 576 per day and the station is now operating at its capacity limit, which means there can be no increase in services without major improvements. What’s more, Waverley is key to achieving Transport Scotland’s ambitions for new projects such as the reopening of the Airdrie-Bathgate railway line, the new Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine line, the Borders rail link and the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link.

The project is of critical importance to Scotland’s environmental and commercial well-being as it will reduce congestion on the roads, alleviate traffic pollution, help to link communities and drive tourism.

Key Milestones

Scissors Crossover
In March this year, passengers were able to see the first visible sign of the infrastructure works with a new scissors crossover laid in between platforms one and 19. This provides two connections between parallel tracks, one in each direction, and was semi-operational by the end of May. It will be fully operational in January 2007, in line with the completion of the two new through platforms.

Temporary footbridge
To keep pedestrian traffic moving at Waverley, a temporary footbridge was erected in May to connect the station concourse to the Waverley Steps via Princes Mall. This replaces the current access to the station via Waverley Steps, as the existing link bridge above platform 19 has been taken down to be remodelled. Access to the station is now via the Princes Mall route, as well as the existing entrances on Waverley Bridge, Calton Hill and Market Street, which will remain unchanged. On completion of the works in December 2007, the new, reconfigured footbridge will run from Waverley Steps as before, creating easy access to the two new through platforms, to be located beside The Balmoral hotel wall.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do the Waverley infrastructure works consist of?

Introduction of two new through platforms
Reintroduction of platform five
Four more trains coming through the station per hour in each direction
Extensive track remodelling and new signals
DDA-compliant improved access

What benefits will this bring to passengers?

Less congestion
More services
Improved punctuality and reliability
Better access

What are the main drivers for developing the station?

Edinburgh Waverley is currently operating at its capacity limit
Passenger numbers are currently at 23 million per year and climbing
The number of trains has increased by 50% over the past 15 years
Major projects such as the Airdrie-Bathgate rail link, the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine line, the Borders rail link and Edinburgh Airport rail link are dependent on the Waverley redevelopment
It will help reduce congestion on the roads

Who is funding the project?

Transport Scotland is fully funding the £150 million infrastructure works

Who is managing the project?

Network Rail is managing the delivery of the Waverley infrastructure works
Maintenance and renewal of the fabric of the existing station facilities at Waverley is the responsibility of Network Rail and it is already funded for these responsibilities

How many passengers pass through Waverley?

Approximately 30,000 passengers pass through the station each day

How many platforms are there?

Number of through platforms to increase from four to six
Total number of platforms to increase from 12 to 14

How many trains run out of Waverley?

Number of trains has increased by 50% over past 15 years to 576 per day
Number of trains to increase from 24 to 28 per hour

Will the development works interrupt passenger services?

Transport Scotland, Network Rail and the train operating companies are working together to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum
Over the summer months, the train operating companies will be going through the timetabling process and any changes will be published at least 12 weeks in advance. The revised timetable will be introduced in December 2006 with some service revisions in 2007
There will be station personnel at both Waverley and Haymarket to assist passengers and keep them fully informed of developments, as well as directional signage, connection guides and enhanced use of the customer information system

How will the works at Waverley affect Haymarket Station?

It is necessary to carry out intensive construction works at Haymarket station to keep traffic moving in the Edinburgh area
This will include: constructing a new bay platform; removing the wall at Platform 1; erecting timber hoarding and creating a dry area for passengers; relocating lighting, customer information screens and CCTV equipment; and reducing the number of parking spaces
From December 2006, the new bay platform at Haymarket will be brought into use to alleviate congestion. As before, there will be station personnel, signage, connection guides to keep passengers fully informed

How will you communicate what is happening to passengers?

Station signage and posters
Waverley leaflet with map
Haymarket guide
Station personnel at both Waverley and Haymarket
Regular newsletters on trains and at stations
Website
Dedicated email address

What is happening to Waverley Steps and when?

Access to the station needs to be improved to cope with the increasing number of passengers
As around 14,000 people use Waverley Steps each day, it is important that this entrance is made compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act as well as access-friendly for those with small children and luggage
The proposed design features: a modern, landmark entrance from Princes Street; four sets of covered escalators; a glass lift giving access to a new mezzanine plaza at over-bridge level and to Princes Mall shopping centre; and a glass and steel canopy over the newly refurbished Waverley Steps
Although planning permission and listed building consent have already been secured, discussions are ongoing with the Rocco Forte Hotel Group, owners of the Balmoral Hotel, and Premier Property Group, owners of Princes Mall, to obtain their permissions. Once this has been agreed, Network Rail can award the contract and work will commence on site
The Waverley Steps are a key pedestrian link from the Station to Princes Street in the heart of the City Centre and hence form an important arrival point into the city

Were any changes made to the plans as a result of consultation?

Lowering the canopy over Waverley Steps and separating one of the escalators from the lift shaft to minimise the impact on the Balmoral Hotel
Following Historic Scotland's recommendations, engineering brick rather than concrete blocks will be used in the walls of the new platforms to preserve the heritage
Refurbishing the original Victorian canopies above platforms 13 to 19, keeping as much of the original cast iron as possible, and re-erecting them in the new required position to preserve the heritage

What is being done to improve the appearance of the station?

Replace damaged and missing roof glazing
Clean and paint roof steelwork
Renew, repair and reline guttering
Clean and paint link bridge from Waverley entrance to Market Street
Repair stair treads
Clean stonework at Market Street entrance

Will the station be a building site for years?

The infrastructure works are scheduled to take two years to complete
Work started on site in January 2006 and is due to complete in December 2007

If you have any comments or queries relating to the infrastructure works, please email here:
waverleyinfrastructureworks@networkrail.co.uk

Links

First Scotrail
GNER
Virgin Trains
Transport Scotland
Passenger Focus