Edinburgh Gateway (Update 11/12: Now open)

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I would be obliged if any website member local to the Edinburgh area can update me on how matters are faring and of the latest official projected opening date

 

[Carntyne]

Works started on site in April this year. I think it's due to open at the end of next year. (would assume at the December timetable change)

 

[route:oxford]

Works started on site in April this year. I think it's due to open at the end of next year. (would assume at the December timetable change)

Goodness knows how the trams will cope with the peak volumes going to the airport once it opens. It is frequently standing room only between Edinburgh Park and the Airport as it is.

Hopefully, there is capacity to run an additional shuttle between the Airport and Edinburgh Park station when gateway opens.

 

[Carntyne]

Goodness knows how the trams will cope with the peak volumes going to the airport once it opens. It is frequently standing room only between Edinburgh Park and the Airport as it is.

Hopefully, there is capacity to run an additional shuttle between the Airport and Edinburgh Park station when gateway opens.

Really that busy already? I've not had a change to use the tram yet. Suppose that's good news its being well used though.

 

[92002]

Goodness knows how the trams will cope with the peak volumes going to the airport once it opens. It is frequently standing room only between Edinburgh Park and the Airport as it is.

Hopefully, there is capacity to run an additional shuttle between the Airport and Edinburgh Park station when gateway opens.

Given that there are crossovers in the Edinburgh side of Edinburgh Park station and spare trams that should not be impossible.

 

[route:oxford]

Really that busy already? I've not had a change to use the tram yet. Suppose that's good news its being well used though.

There is a lot of whining from some Edinburgh locals. The stock content of "white elephant", "ruined lives", "buses are adequate", "destroyed Princes Street" etc. Some of the comments are fair enough - certainly the section between Haymarket and Waverley isn't exactly how I would have planned it.

I strongly suspect that the section between Edinburgh Park Station and Edinburgh Airport is making the biggest contribution to the line. Edinburgh Park station is a very busy interchange. Just a shame that little consideration was made to the international traveller at the stop. More often than not passengers are standing in the rain because there isn't enough space at the shelter.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I do think it odd that there is no stop near Waverley. But generally it looks good to me, having now used it from the airport. A much more comfortable ride than the Airlink bus.

 

[me123]

There's two stops near Waverley. Princes Street and St Andrew's Square, the latter being the advertised interchange, are both within a 5 minute walk of the station. Not as convenient as other interchanges (for example at Haymarket and Edinburgh Park), but certainly manageable and on a par with the existing interchanges with the bus network.

 

[najaB]

I do think it odd that there is no stop near Waverley.

Putting a stop closer to either Waverley entrance would have b*ggered up traffic flows way too much as a full-length tram would sit across one or more of the junctions.

 

[Bald Rick]

Goodness knows how the trams will cope with the peak volumes going to the airport once it opens. It is frequently standing room only between Edinburgh Park and the Airport as it is.

Really? I used it on a Friday evening a few weeks ago with 2 mates when I expected it to be busy. Between Gateway and the airport there were 8 of us on board, including the driver, the conductor and the resident drunk.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Paul, it's not particularly local for me and it's a bit difficult to get at to photograph but John Yellowlees has posted a couple of snapshots of the work in progress - one from a train to/from Fife, and another from a tram. There's another on Railscot showing the platforms under construction in September. I believe it is on schedule for opening in December 2016.

 

[railjock]

Will Edinburgh Gateway and South Gyle be even closer than Waverley and Haymarket are?

 

[Carntyne]

Will Edinburgh Gateway and South Gyle be even closer than Waverley and Haymarket are?

They're roughly 1.4km apart, so about 500m closer than Haymarket & Waverley.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Paul, it's not particularly local for me and it's a bit difficult to get at to photograph but John Yellowlees has posted a couple of snapshots of the work in progress - one from a train to/from Fife, and another from a tram. There's another on Railscot showing the platforms under construction in September. I believe it is on schedule for opening in December 2016.

Many thanks for the links that are in your posting.

 

[backontrack]

Why don't the Glasgow via Falkirk shuttles call at Edinburgh Park? I think they used to.

 

[Carntyne]

Why don't the Glasgow via Falkirk shuttles call at Edinburgh Park? I think they used to.

TS don't want them to I'm assuming as it would add to journey time. Plenty of trains stop at EDP though, Dunblane & Helensburgh/Milngavie via Bathgate. (6tph)

 

[backontrack]

Oh yes, I was forgetting the Bathgate services and thinking they didn't have a direct service to Glasgow. It'd be cool if Scotrail could be persuaded to stop Edinburgh-Inverness/Aberdeen services at either Gateway or Park, though, maybe not calling at Haymarket instead. However, maybe it should just be the commuter services (and maybe the stoppers to Dundee?).

 

[najaB]

It'd be cool if Scotrail could be persuaded to stop Edinburgh-Inverness/Aberdeen services at either Gateway or Park, though, maybe not calling at Haymarket instead. However, maybe it should just be the commuter services (and maybe the stoppers to Dundee?).

I believe that the plan is for the Dundee stoppers at least to call at Edinburgh Gateway. No way for them to call at Edinburgh Park though as it's the wrong line.

I can't see them dropping the call at Haymarket as it's essential for transfers to WCML services - there are many connections that can be made at Haymarket but are too tight for Waverley.

 

[backontrack]

I believe that the plan is for the Dundee stoppers at least to call at Edinburgh Gateway. No way for them to call at Edinburgh Park though as it's the wrong line.

I can't see them dropping the call at Haymarket as it's essential for transfers to WCML services - there are many connections that can be made at Haymarket but are too tight for Waverley.

I know, I was referring to services via Linlithgow.

Ah, I realise that now (regarding Haymarket). Thanks

 

[najaB]

Ah, I realise that now (regarding Haymarket). Thanks

Yeah, I quite often make the cross-platform dash from 3 to 2 when the WCML service is running a couple of minutes down (or, more annoyingly, running to time and held on the approach to Haymarket!) I'd be very displeased with having to wait 50 minutes at Waverley instead.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I strongly suspect that the section between Edinburgh Park Station and Edinburgh Airport is making the biggest contribution to the line. Edinburgh Park station is a very busy interchange. Just a shame that little consideration was made to the international traveller at the stop. More often than not passengers are standing in the rain because there isn't enough space at the shelter.

I would agree with you on both points and as both a local and an enthusiast think more should have been and should still be made of this. For business travelers on expenses the high cost of the Airport to Edinburgh Park tram journey is peenuts compared to the same journey in a taxi and companies are cutting back. Also the tram will be more reliable given the wating times for black cabs in that area. Edinburgh Park ideally needs a booking Office with windows for Scotrail and Transport for Edinburgh as well as a decent wating area. Not gunna happen though!

Really? I used it on a Friday evening a few weeks ago with 2 mates when I expected it to be busy. Between Gateway and the airport there were 8 of us on board, including the driver, the conductor and the resident drunk.

This is far closer to my experience than Routexford's, perhaps suggesting that whilst the section of route mentioned is indeed the most used its all based on the key business flights?? If so then it wouldnt be hard to work out when extra shuttles were needed, that is unless your TFE LOL

 

[47271]

Why don't the Glasgow via Falkirk shuttles call at Edinburgh Park? I think they used to.

There was pressure for the shuttles to call at Edinburgh Park when the station opened first ten or so years ago, but it never happened. As an end to user of the line at the time, my view was that the things stopped quite enough as it was - thinking about the acceleration of 170s - without adding another delay!

 

[Altnabreac]

Looks like the December 2016 opening date is still on track:

Edinburgh Gateway Interchange shapes up

• Work progressing on new £41m station west of Edinburgh
• Part of wider EGIP which will deliver electrification on the main Edinburgh Glasgow line by Dec 2016
• Station remains on track for delivery by December 2016

Scottish Government Transport Minister Derek Mackay joined Network Rail managing director for Scotland Phil Verster at the new Edinburgh Gateway station development to review the ongoing work to construct the Tram/Train interchange to the west of the city.

The new Edinburgh Gateway interchange is part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) which will see the electrification of central Scotland’s railway infrastructure delivering increased capacity and faster speeds on key routes.

Engineers have been on site at Gogar since January 2015 working on the new £41m station which will serve passengers from Fife and the north accessing Edinburgh airport and interchanging onto the Tram network. The station is scheduled to open to the public in December 2016.

Gateway will consist of two 265m (10 car) platforms and boast 1500m2 of concourse and circulation space and step free access bridge linking the platforms within the railway station and connecting to the tram stop via lifts and escalators. It will offer an interchange with the tram network to afford fast and efficient movement between train and tram. An underpass beneath the A8 will also afford access from the nearby Gyle centre.

As well as delivering a new vibrant and modern gateway to Scotland’s rail network for visitors arriving into the capital city, it is anticipated that the provision of a new station at this location will be a catalyst for future economic investment and activity.

Scottish Government Transport Minister Derek Mackay said:

“Seeing the progress on the Edinburgh Gateway rail/tram interchange is testimony to the hard work of all those involved to date.

"December 2016 marks a pivotal milestone in our £5 billion programme of investment in Scotland’s Railway and more specifically the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme. It will also mark the opening of the Edinburgh Gateway station which 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.”

Network Rail managing director for Scotland Phil Verster said: “Despite the challenging weather, the project team at Edinburgh Gateway has maintained its focus on keeping this work on programme.

There is a real commitment and enthusiasm to build a facility which will deliver real and significant benefits for passengers on our network, enhancing the connectivity between different modes of transport and becoming a catalyst for economic investment and local development

“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”.

The EGIP is a Scottish Government investment of £742m in central Scotland’s railway infrastructure which will see key routes electrified and facilities improved and upgraded to support the new electrified railway.

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/news/edinburgh-gateway-interchange-shapes#sthash.CtpfqTgi.dpuf

 

[Gathursty]

I was unaware of this new station opening. It seems like a rather good excuse to go back to a city I love!

 

[hibtastic]

Its going to be very handy for me travelling to the airport from Dunfermline that's for sure.

I wonder if when the Dalmeny chord is done at a later date, might we see some Edinburgh to Glasgow trains stopping at the Gateway station?

Given the very impressive growth recently at Edinburgh Airport, it is imperative that Edinburgh Gateway is served by trains from across the country particularly given it's sub-standard access road.

 

[najaB]

I wonder if when the Dalmeny chord is done at a later date, might we see some Edinburgh to Glasgow trains stopping at the Gateway station?

That was the intention when the chord was still in the plans.

 

[Clansman]

I believe that the plan is for the Dundee stoppers at least to call at Edinburgh Gateway. No way for them to call at Edinburgh Park though as it's the wrong line.

I can't see them dropping the call at Haymarket as it's essential for transfers to WCML services - there are many connections that can be made at Haymarket but are too tight for Waverley.

I'm sure the Perth services can be added to the list as trains were recently making additional calls at South Gyle to prepare for the opening and I'm guessing one or two XC and EC trains could call as the platform design hints.

 

[Philip Phlopp]

That was the intention when the chord was still in the plans.

It's back as an option for funders in CP6 and CP7.

 

[ld0595]

I'm sure I heard somewhere that the EC services will call there along with the Dundee stoppers. Not sure about the Aberdeen services - I can't imagine they'd want to slow the service down.

 

[Altnabreac]

Just passed through the station site now. Does look to have progressed significantly since I was last here with platforms under construction and the station building shell well advanced too.