Progress on plans to create a vibrant transport hub at Haymarket train station fit to cope with growing passenger numbers has taken a step closer with the release of a major report.

The Haymarket Interchange Feasibility Study (HIFS) was commissioned by the City of Edinburgh Council to investigate how Scotland’s fourth busiest railway station could be transformed into a major and fit-for-purpose gateway into the Capital.

With trams stopping at Haymarket in a few years’ time and increased train journeys scheduled to use it, passenger numbers are set to jump from the current 4m to 9m by 2031 but the station is too small and inadequate to cope with this increase.

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The detailed plans include visions of what a new station could look like, how various transport facilities will fit together, a timeline for construction and estimated costing.

Split into two phases and costing around £190 million in total, Phase 1 would be publicly funded at a cost of £76.9m. This would involve developing the platform and concourse levels, transport links, road crossings, the glazed roof and the public realm works.

Funding for Phase 2, which will involve commercial and retail developments at £113.6m, would be expected to be provided by investors from the private sector.

The HIFS will be considered by the Transport, Infrastructure and Environment Committee on May 6th 2008.

There is no capital funding available for the project yet and if councillors approve it as recommended, Transport Scotland will be approached for funding of the public sector elements – Phase 1 - of the project.

(GK/NS)