Media centre

Tuesday 24 Jul 2007

WAVERLEY REDEVELOPMENT ENTERS FINAL PHASE

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

The redevelopment of Edinburgh’s Waverley Station enters its final stage from July 30, with work beginning on Platforms 8, 9, 10 and 11 following the successful completion of works on Waverley’s other western platforms. The GBP150 million upgrade, which includes four new platforms, extensive track remodelling and new signals, is on schedule for completion at the end of November this year. This final stage of works will result in disruption to GNER services to and from Glasgow via Motherwell until Monday 19 November, during which time GNER will be able to operate just one train a day in each direction between Edinburgh Waverley, Motherwell and Glasgow Central. On weekdays, GNER will continue to run the 0700hrs service from Glasgow Central to Edinburgh calling at Motherwell at 0714hrs and the 1800hrs Kings Cross service to Glasgow via Edinburgh and Motherwell. GNER will also operate one service in each direction on Saturdays and Sundays. All other GNER services timetabled to call at Motherwell and Glasgow Central will start and terminate at Edinburgh Waverley. However, additional commuter services are being provided by Virgin West Coast and First ScotRail to ensure a robust level of services during peak times. David Simpson, Network Rail Route Director for Scotland said: “The work we have been undertaking at Waverley Station has been an incredibly intensive process. We have had teams of engineers working on site day and night to ensure that work is finished on schedule. Once complete, passengers will benefit from more train services, improved punctuality and better access. “Some services have been disrupted while the work at Waverley station has been carried out, however, this will be in the long term benefit of all passengers travelling to, from or through Edinburgh. We will continue to work with our industry partners to minimise disruption and keep as many services running as possible.” In addition to the alternatives provided by GNER and Virgin, First ScotRail was asked to offer an additional afternoon peak train from Edinburgh to Motherwell to help affected passengers. Malcolm Reed, Chief Executive of Transport Scotland, said: “We had concerns about the level of disruption passengers between Edinburgh and Motherwell would face during this period, particularly in the evening peak. However, after constructive dialogue with industry partners, we are delighted to see an additional train being provided by First ScotRail to complement the other replacement services being offered. “While work on this crucial project is ongoing, it is important that the rail industry does all it can to ensure disruption to passengers is always kept to a minimum.”