Progress on plans to create a vibrant transport hub at Haymarket train station fit to cope with growing passenger numbers have taken a step closer with the release of a major report.
The Haymarket Interchange Feasibility Study (HIFS) was commissioned by the City of Edinburgh Council to investigate how Scotland’s fourth busiest railway station could be transformed into a major and fit-for-purpose gateway into the Capital.
With trams stopping at Haymarket in a few years’ time and increased train journeys scheduled to use it, passenger numbers are set to jump from the current 4m to 9m by 2031 but the station is too small and inadequate to cope with this increase.
The detailed plans include visions of what a new station could look like, how various transport facilities will fit together, a timeline for construction and estimated costing.
Proposals include:
Expanding the station concourse and public realm area from the existing 3,000 square metres to 8,700sqm;
Clear links between trains, trams, buses, taxis and bicycles with safe and convenient pedestrian links between each facility;
A glazed roof structure with retail services beneath;
Retaining and refurbishing the existing station building and Ryrie’s public house, both of which are listed;
A public space dedicated to the War memorial;
Large scale commercial/retail development opportunities;
A significantly improved waiting experience.
Split into two phases and costing around £190 million in total, Phase 1 would be publicly funded at a cost of £76.9m. This would involve developing the platform and concourse levels, transport links, road crossings, the glazed roof and the public realm works.
Funding for Phase 2, which will involve commercial and retail developments at £113.6m, would be expected to be provided by investors from the private sector.
The HIFS will be considered by the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee on May 6 2008. There is no capital funding available for the project yet and if councillors approve it as recommended, Transport Scotland will be approached for funding of the public sector elements – Phase 1 - of the project.
The results will also be passed to Transport Scotland as input to its current Strategic Transport Projects Review, which will consider transport spending priorities from 2012 onwards.
Construction is estimated to begin in 2012 once trams are up and running the previous year. Phase 1 may take two years to complete, while Phase 2 could take two and a half years and could involve replacing the existing Roseberry House Office Building. There is an option for both phases to be carried out at the same time, which would minimise disruption to station users.
Funded by Transport Scotland, the Council commissioned the HIFS in December 2005 in a bid to examine how the station could be improved. The study was split into five stages and was carried out by Halcrow Group Limited.
While the study is being managed by the Council, other agencies involved include Network Rail, First Scotrail and bus operators.
During an extensive public consultation as part of the study, 93 percent of respondents supported refurbishing the station. Out of a shortlist of three options for refurbishment, it was then decided to proceed with option A, which is to retain the station’s listed building and to create a new, purpose-built facility.
The project is expected to complement other developments which are ongoing in the Haymarket area include the redevelopment of the Morrison Street car park, and the continued growth of the nearby Exchange financial District.
Two major projects are expected to have been undertaken before work outlined in the HIFS begins, the Haymarket Accessibility Project and Edinburgh trams.
The Haymarket Accessibility Project is being developed by Transport Scotland and First ScotRail to refurbish the station building and to improve access for disabled people and those for whom the current arrangements act as a barrier to using the station.
Trams will play an important role in the new Haymarket interchange and the station will feature the city’s major tram-train interchange.
The feasibility study proposals will build upon these schemes to provide a long term solution for the growth in passenger numbers predicted over the next 25 years and beyond.
Councillor Phil Wheeler, Transport Convener for the Council, said: “A regenerated station is essential to ensure that the city keeps moving effectively as it, as well as the Haymarket area, continues to expand. The existing facility is becoming strained, congested and inadequate, with pedestrians and passengers constantly competing for space.
“These proposals give us a very real and exciting vision of how we could create a sleek transport hub which will be integrated with trams and buses and which will be much more suited to its status as one of the country’s busiest train stations.”
Media contact: Fiona Borland, Media and Communications Officer, tel: 0131 529 6471, Fiona.borland@edinburgh.gov.uk
Notes to editors:
A separate document, compatible with the HIFS and entitled ‘Planning and Urban Design Principles for Haymarket’ is currently being developed and will be the subject of a report to the Planning Committee later in the year.
The HIFS is available at www.haymarketinterchange.com
