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Thursday 6 Dec 2012

Passengers see clear improvement as final pane installed at Waverley

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

The final pane of glass was installed in Edinburgh Waverley’s new station roof today (Thursday 6 Dec) as Network Rail’s £130m project to improve the station moved another step closer to completion.

Glaziers working on behalf of principal contractor Balfour Beatty installed the 24,700^th pane of glass near the station’s western entrance two and half years after work began on the eastern side of the station. During that time, 93% (909 tonnes) of glass, metal and timber removed from the old structure has been recycled.

The installation of the final pane of glass was witnessed by Network Rail’s Route Managing Director, David Simpson. He commented: “The completion of the roof works will mean that the scaffolding and encapsulation which has shrouded Waverley Station for the past two and half years will now begin to be removed.

“Already, the station is looking brighter cleaner and more welcoming and I’m sure, when the improvements to the station are completed in full next year, the station will be a far more welcoming sight for the 25 million passengers who use the station every year.

“The roof renewal was the single biggest challenge facing the station when work began in 2010, so the completion of the glazing is a huge milestone for the project team.”

Ken Brown, Project Manager, Balfour Beatty, said: “We are delighted to reach this important landmark of the improvement works. As the scaffolding and encapsulation is removed station users will see a real improvement in the level of natural light coming into the station’s concourse.

“We would like to thank everyone for their patience and cooperation while we carried out these refurbishment improvements.”

The remainder of the station work still to be competed at Waverley by Network Rail includes:

• Concourse resurfacing
• Canopy replacements over Platforms 8&9
• Lifts installed to improve access from the Calton Road entrance
• Lift installed to mezzanine level opposite Waverley Steps
• Escalators installed adjacent to platform 11
• Refurbishment work to station buildings

It is estimated all work will be completed by autumn 2013.