Carillion has won a £23 million contract to carry out platform extension works at Edinburgh Waverley station.

The scheme is part of the Scottish Government's Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) and the Department for Transport-funded Intercity Express Programme (IEP).

Works include extending platforms 5 and 6, to the east of the station, and 12, to the west, to prepare for the introduction of new trains.

Preparatory works to clear redundant structures and reposition the escalators at platform 11 will begin in April with main construction work on extending platform 12 due to begin in May. Completion is scheduled for December.

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The extended platforms 5 and 6 will be completed in 2018, while the project will also deliver track remodelling work for more trains to use platforms 10 and 11.

Scottish Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: "This upgrade of Edinburgh Waverley is part of the wider improvement programme, which will bring real benefits to passengers and maximize the potential of this historic station.

"By extending the platforms, we are paving the way for the introduction of the new, longer, electric train fleet between Edinburgh and Glasgow and on the East Coast main line. The new trains will bring greater capacity to Scotland's busiest rail route and cut journey times."

Rodger Querns, Network Rail programme director, added: "Completing such a significant piece of engineering work in the heart of one of the country's busiest stations will be a significant challenge for our engineers and contractors and we are committed to carrying out these enhancements as quickly as possible and with the minimum of inconvenience for passengers."

(LM)