£100m bus and trams plan 09 | 09 | 2010
RIGHT, WE know the trams are an unmitigated disaster in Edinburgh; but now rail bosses in the city have unveiled plans for a multi-million-pound redevelopment of Haymarket station which will turn it into a £100 million 'transport hub' for the Capital's train and tram network.
Ok, the plans which have been lodged with the city council for the revamp say the costs will be "between £50m and £100m" but, let's be honest: is it really likely to be anywhere near £50m? Given the track record over the trams fiasco, I doubt it.
The good news is the work, when completed, will reduce journey times between Edinburgh and Glasgow slashed to 35 minutes. The work is part of a £1 billion package of measures.
It certainly should look nice. While the existing station will be extended, the new building will retain the original Grade-A two-storey stone building at the junction of Dalry Road and Haymarket Terrace. There will also be a new black granite facade on Haymarket Terrace and a copper-clad concourse structure.
The measures, which are designed to ensure the station is able to cope with the anticipated 50% increase in rail demand by 2022, will also see the introduction of 12 new ticket gates on the concourse. Beyond the ticket barriers a glass link bridge will connect the concourse to the platforms. There will also be new glass lifts to the platforms.
According to the planning application, the redevelopment will create a "transport interchange hub" providing connections between the rail network and buses and trams.
With work already underway to turn the line between Glasgow and Edinburgh 'electric', there is also expected to be six trains per hour between Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street following the improvements, and three trains an hour between the Capital and Glasgow Central.
Strangely though, as part of this overall transport package, there is no mention of a bus or tram interchange at Edinburgh Waverley Station where the vast majority of train passengers arrive and depart from.
Jim McGill