14 July 2010
Report on EGIP study tour
A visit for Transform Scotland members was arranged to some of the key EGIP sites in the East of Scotland on 2 July, this was led by Rodger Querns , EGIP Programme Director, from Transport Scotland, accompanied by his colleague Kevin Murray, Project Manager.
Transform Scotland Chair, Paul Tetlaw gave a summary of the visit:
"The tour started at Waverley station where further track enhancement work is to be undertaken, as well as electrification of Haymarket north tunnel. We then moved on to Winchburgh Junction where we were able to see the site of the grade separated junction that will allow trains to and from the Dalmney and Ratho directions to run at 100mph. Our next stop was to the site of the new Dalmeny Chord which will again create a grade separated junction and will require the construction of some 2 kilometres of new railway. From here we moved to Gogar to see the site of Edinburgh Gateway station which will provide a high quality interchange between trains approaching from the Forth Bridge and Dalmeny Chord, and the Edinburgh Trams. Here we were also able to see the considerable progress that is being made on the construction of the new tram depot. We returned via Haymarket Station, having seen the plans for the considerable enlargement of the passenger facilities at the station and the construction of a new curved roof linking to the historic station building. It was clear that the architect was well aware of the original Haymarket train shed (now located at Bo'ness) when drawing up his plans for the new roof.
"The visit was very much appreciated by those who attended and I would like to place on record my thanks to Rodger Querns and Kevin Murray from Transport Scotland for a comprehensive tour and for the very helpful plans that they used to illustrate the work to be carried out."
Transform Scotland Members at the site of Edinburgh Gateway station with Rodger Querns and Kevin Murray from Transport Scotland.