August 5 2020

Concept designs for the remodelling of Edinburgh's Waverley Station have been unveiled, showcasing a major new public space on Waverley Bridge.

A partnership between Network Rail, Transport Scotland and the City of Edinburgh Council is behind the concept, which seeks to forge new connections for walkers, cyclists and public transport to prioritise low carbon travel.

Key to this approach will be the introduction of a new station-wide mezzanine concourse that will dispense with an awkward series of steps, ramps and elevators to connect directly with surrounding streets, enabling operational platforms below to be extended in turn.

Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity commented: “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 concept designs have been prepared by Arup with full implementation of the masterplan not expected before 2040.

11 Comments

#1 Posted by Cadmonkey on 5 Aug 2020 at 10:59 AM

Looks like a complete waste of public money to me. Public money will be wasted and train fares would just go up to fund this vanity project that creates unnecessary commercial space that will detract from existing city centre shops, already struggling with viability. The station works fine. Stop wasting effort on this and direct it more effectively.

#2 Posted by Graeme McCormick on 5 Aug 2020 at 12:00 PM

Not much greenery proposed

#3 Posted by Neil McAllister on 5 Aug 2020 at 15:48 PM

I'm not quite sure what problem this solves, other than throwing away the good work that has been done over the last few years to improve the links across the station and to restore the roof.

The access from Waverley Bridge could be hugely improved by taking the old taxi ramp and removing all the barriers to make a full width pedestrian ramped entrance - rather than squeezing down a narrow pavement with a disused vehicle access beside you.

#4 Posted by Mansart on 5 Aug 2020 at 16:43 PM

If the ornate ironwork detailing was to be ripped out and replaced with this proposal then it would be another badly planned addition to the city.

#5 Posted by Fush And Chups on 5 Aug 2020 at 17:21 PM

I think the waverley bridge proposals look good. A nice plaza with fantastic views, I think it would be well used. Will they booking office building be repurposed or still be used as a cheap and nasty wetherspoons( aren’t they all).

They do say that they are looking at either a new roof or using the old one, and I do hope they keep the old one. It is historical and adds great character. What’s the point in adding a roof that could be from any new train station in any country?

The two levels would work well. Glad to see surface car park gone too.

Overall I very much like it, with the proviso that the original roof be kept!

#6 Posted by dadabouttown on 5 Aug 2020 at 22:22 PM

The problem it solves is that it is straining at current peak capacity and if forecast to double passenger numbers. It also creates far better pedestrian access and links across and through the valley, as well as proper taxi access, two proper tram/train interchanges etc etc.

The status quo is not an option. The station needs to carve out more platform space that will eats
into the existing concourses - so somewhere for all that current retail and ticketing and circulation space has to be found. This basically provides an improvement on everything while allowing all that to happen.

#7 Posted by Inahuf on 6 Aug 2020 at 01:46 AM

Sort of makes sense diagrammatically, but the experience is less convincing... Access to/from Waverley bridge looks mean and misses the current drama of ascending to view the valley between old&new toons. It looks like the ticket barriers will have to be on the mezzanine level so how are you meant to help ya gran to the train? Then, where are all the extra passengers coming from if the big commute is no more? Is all this just for festival season?

#8 Posted by Neil C on 6 Aug 2020 at 10:22 AM

#6 - projections for doubling of passenger numbers were made pre-lockdown. The world's a different place now, and millions of people have had their eyes opened to the benefits of WFH where possible, rather than paying thousands of pounds a year to stand on a platform and discover the train that should have already arrived has been cancelled.

It's hard to see passenger numbers rising at all in the foreseeable future, let alone doubling.

#9 Posted by Antony Malley on 6 Aug 2020 at 11:37 AM

If this is about improving the passenger experience
and connectiing to the city then the projected numbers will have to be re-calculated or delayed until a viable covid vaccine is available ?
Are they suggesting that there will be no improvement to the steps alongside the Balmoral ?

#10 Posted by The Bairn on 7 Aug 2020 at 16:10 PM

Looks like Waverley Steps survive intact looking at the images.
And what kind of crime free nirvana do these masterplan 'designers' inhabit? People must have short memories with regard to terrorist attacks on various European city centres (Christmas markets etc..) including our own Glasgow airport over recent years.
What clever safety features will be incorporated to thwart future incidents by ISIS, or any casual drunk driver bampot, heading at full pelt into the heart of the station?
All rather nicey nicey but fundamentally flawed.
And glass roofs always leak in Scotland. Oops.

#11 Posted by nathan wright on 14 Aug 2020 at 23:52 PM

Fifty years ago the then city architect prosed a commercial development proposal which morphed into a future Waverley Market. As the planner responsible for this area of the city I commented that they were missing an opportunity to link through the site to Market Street where we were based.
We suggested they consider making a mezzanine level for taxis and buses with lifts and escalators down to a pedestrianised concourse level.
Waverley Bridge would form one end of an enclosed roof over the western platforms thus becoming an extension of the gardens.
It made sense then and even more so now having seen this shocker.

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