Edinburgh Gateway on course for December opening

Network Rail Managing Director for Scotland Phil Verster says that the poor weather affecting the country has not delayed progress of the £41 million Edinburgh Gateway station, and that it remains on course to open (as scheduled) in December.

The station is part of the Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP), and will enable Fife Circle passengers to connect with trains on the main line between the two major cities.

Verster, speaking on January 20 during a visit to the site with Scottish Transport Minister Derek Mackay, said: “Despite the challenging weather, the project team at Edinburgh Gateway has maintained its focus on keeping this work on programme.

“The quality of the station being constructed has the potential to become a true gateway to Scotland’s capital, which will leave people with a positive first or final impression of our railway network.”

Mackay said the new station will “provide connectivity for Fife Line services and offer effective interchange between the Scottish rail network and Edinburgh Airport, offering new journey opportunities to the airport, places of work and the surrounding business development area”.

When open, the station will have two 265-metre platforms capable of accommodating ten-car trains. There will be a 1,500m2 concourse and circulation space, and a step-free access bridge linking the platforms within the station and connecting to the tram stop.

An underpass is also being built under the A8 road so that passengers can reach the nearby Gyle centre.