04.08.20
Transformative Edinburgh Waverley Masterplan revealed
Today (4 Aug) Network Rail, Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh have released their concept designs for renovating the capital’s main station as part of the Edinburgh Waverley Masterplan.
The designs illustrate a station that is a vital part of the city, with a major new public space on Waverley Bridge providing views of the iconic city skyline. The designs have been formulated with people at the forefront, providing easy access for all, and creating essential city connections for walking, cycling and public transport.
The Masterplan has been developed in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council’s City Centre Transformation Programme to prioritise movement by foot, cycle and public transport and essentially change the way people move about the city in the future.
As part of the designs, the Masterplan partners are suggesting a new mezzanine concourse across the whole station that will help bring better access to Waverley from the nearby streets, enable the formation of fully-accessible entrances and rise circulation space for passengers.
The mezzanine will allow the platforms below to be extended, create new facilities to cater for future growth in passengers and services and also help develop the all-round experience for people using the station.
Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity said: “The Masterplan has produced an exciting concept design which delivers a station that can meet operational requirements for the longer term and improves accessibility for all by addressing, through its use of a mezzanine floor, the complex levels around the station.
"By introducing new points of access in key areas, this plan will ensure the station becomes a seamless gateway to the Old and New towns of Edinburgh and one that encourages greater commuter, business and leisure use alike.
“The next stage of design work will see how 21st century functionality can be incorporated within the historical setting of Waverley so that we deliver a station that can meet operational requirements for the longer term and deliver a fantastic user experience for everyone.”
Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway, Alex Hynes, said: “We believe there is a compelling case for making ambitious changes to Waverley which will improve the station for our customers while respecting the history and heritage of this listed structure.
“The Masterplan is a wonderful example of the private and public sectors working closely alongside government to develop innovative and ambitious plans for the capital.
“Waverley has always played a key role in the life of the city and the plans we have unveiled today will help to ensure it continues to do so in the years ahead as we all play our part to revitalise our economy and put the impact of the current pandemic behind us.”
Images: Network Rail