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Wednesday 25 Oct 2017

Network Rail station development scoops top engineering award

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

The Edinburgh Gateway train-tram interchange has triumphed in the ‘Building’ category of the Saltire Scottish Civil Engineering Awards.

Run by the Institution of Civil Engineers, in association with the Saltire Society, the awards recognise excellence and innovation in civil engineering and celebrate its contribution to our quality of life.

Built by Network Rail as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow improvement Programme (EGIP) the £41m Edinburgh Gateway station, in the west of the city, helps transform travel options for passengers from Fife and the north giving them easy access to the city’s tram network and the airport.

EGIP is a major part of the Scottish Government’s ongoing programme of electrification across the central belt which will deliver reduced journey times and increased capacity and allow the introduction of new faster and greener trains.

Presenting the main awards at a special ceremony at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Employability and Training, said: “These awards provide an opportunity to recognise the skills and contribution civil engineering makes to the economy and wider society thanks to improved connectivity and a more resilient infrastructure.

“Transport projects can make a significant contribution to our vision for a prosperous, fair and well-connected Scotland.

“The range and diversity of projects across a range of locations at home and abroad clearly shows that Scotland's civil engineers have the skill and talent to meet the needs of Scotland and beyond.”

Rodger Querns, Programme Director for EGIP said: “We are delighted that our work delivering Edinburgh Gateway has been recognised by the judges at the prestigious Saltire Scottish civil engineering awards and it is a great acknowledgement to contractor Balfour Beatty and everyone at Network Rail who has worked on the project.

“The station was delivered on time and on budget despite a number of challenges created by working in close proximity to the airport, the tram network and the A8.  Delivering it on programme is testimony to the collaborative approach and hard work of all involved.

“Edinburgh Gateway offers huge benefits to rail passengers travelling to or from the Gogar area, integrating the rail network with the tram network and providing a convenient link to Edinburgh Airport.

“This new interchange is a wonderful example of our vision for Scotland’s railway, as we work to build the best railway Scotland’s ever had working in partnership with others to deliver choice for customers and help create social and economic opportunities for the communities we serve.”

Magnus Linklater, President of the Saltire Society, said: "We are delighted that the Saltire Civil Engineering Awards are celebrating their 37th anniversary this year. Civil engineering is vital to modern society and a successful economy. It shows Scotland at its best. We at the Saltire Society believe it is important to recognise the achievements of the industry and the wide variety of projects that make such an impact on our daily lives."

Edinburgh Gateway consists of two 265m, 10-car platforms and boasts 1500m2 of concourse and circulation space. A step-free access bridge links the platforms within the station and connects to the tram stop via lifts and escalators. An underpass beneath the A8 provides pedestrian and cyclist access from the nearby Gyle centre.

 Gateway’s passengers  have direct trains to Perth, Dundee and Inverness, as well as to the city centre and Fife. When combined with the nearby South Gyle station, six trains per hour serve north west Edinburgh.

The station provides increased choice for Fife-based commuters travelling to Edinburgh Business Park, with 14 trains arriving at Gateway or South Gyle between 07:00-09:00 hrs. For the return leg, a similar number of services will depart these stations during the evening peak.