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Monday 21 Nov 2016

New taxi rank confirmed for Edinburgh Waverley

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

• Covered rank within New Street car park among planned improvements for station

A new taxi rank making use of land within New Street car park has been confirmed for Edinburgh Waverley. The announcement comes in advance of the next phase of station improvement work due to begin in 2017.

The new rank, which is expected to be completed in autumn 2017, will offer customers a sheltered location within the station footprint where they can wait for a taxi. Taxis will access the rank via New Street car park and join a queueing system located near the station’s Market Street entrance. The new rank will be accessible from the Market Street entrance by staircase or by lift. It will not impact on the operation of the car park.

The detailed design phase of the project is underway following Network Rail’s funding approval in September. The design, which will include a new shelter with seating, will be completed by May 2017, with construction expected to be completed within the following 12 months.

The confirmation of the new rank comes in advance of the start of station improvement works. Work to extend Platforms 5 and 6 into the site of the former taxi rank will begin in spring 2017. Platform 12 will also be extended. The escalator connecting platform 11 to the mezzanine level will be relocated to accommodate the work.

The new arrangements within the station will mean that the south ramp can no longer be accessed by vehicles. Station deliveries and cycle access will continue to be admitted via the north ramp.

Phil Verster, ScotRail Alliance managing director, said: “We are confident that the new plans for a taxi rank within the station boundary will present a significant improvement on the current arrangements for our customers looking to hire a taxi on arrival at Waverley.

“The rank within New Street car park will be easily accessible for passengers while allowing us to maintain the strict concourse access arrangements which have helped to improve the station environment during the last three years.

“Combined with our platform extension works, which get underway in spring 2017, the station will be better placed to meet the demands which will be put upon it by more frequent, longer trains during the course of next five years.

“We will continue to operate a drop-off facility on Calton Road for taxis and private vehicles. Disabled passengers will be free to arrange pick-up from the new rank or from our Calton Road facility. Blue badge car parking spaces will continue to be retained within New Street car park.”

City of Edinburgh Council Transport Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “The new taxi rank will enable many more people to be picked up within easy reach of Waverley Station, and will be a welcome addition for people travelling by train. I am certain that with additional facilities elsewhere around the station, this will help improve access and offer choice for travellers.”