Waverley Steps re-opens to public praise

By Alastair Tibbitt

It cost £7million and took nearly a year to complete, but today a vital link between Waverley Station and Princes Street re-opened to the public.

The revamped Waverley Steps now features three banks of escalators to transport people from the station up to Princes Street and a modern glass roof to protect them from the elements.

As the winter sun streamed into the new enclosed space we sought some early reaction from the public.

Frank Wood, 74, who lives in Bellhaven in the Scottish Borders, travelled into Edinburgh specially to have a look at the new and improved thoroughfare.

He said: “I’m delighted with the new steps, as it’s a long way up there, especially for someone of my age. I think it’s fantastic, I’m very impressed.”

“The only thing I’m curious about is how the winds are going to be. It’s a nice day today, but the roof doesn’t touch the sides. There’s a gap there.

“But today it’s absolutely beautiful. It’s progress, and together with everything else that’s happening in the station, and the platform improvements it’s going to make a real difference.

See a photo gallery of the new Waverley Steps

Sylvia Fraser who was visiting Edinburgh said she remembered how windy the Waverley Steps used to be before the roof was installed. She said: “I think it’s wonderful. I really do. I am just waiting to see how the roof part copes with the rain, but I think Edinburgh is trying very hard.”

Lisa Bullen, who travels into Edinburgh for work, said: “It’s absolutely brilliant. I’ve been having to go around the station for about a year or something while the steps have been closed.

“The new design is nice and very light.”

Lee Friend, 18, and Kaitlin Watt, 19, were also impressed. Lee, who lives in Edinburgh said: “It’s really nice, I’m impressed. It’s really light and it’s an improvement.

The escalators are good as it’s really steep at the top.”

David Simpson, Network Rail’s route managing director for Scotland, said: "The new steps will vastly improve access to the station for passengers, especially less-mobile travellers.

"The refurbishment has delivered a modern gateway to one of the country’s oldest stations which is also sensitive to the heritage and history of the building and those around it."

It is the first stage of a £130m refurbishment project to be completed. Network Rail is also installing clear glass across the 34,000 square metre roof of the station and adding two lifts that will connect the station to Princes Street.

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