Waverley Station, Edinburgh - Pavlina Koeva-Ratcheva

WAVERLEY STATION - THE NEW MASTERPLAN 2019

The Waverley station has been expanded before to cope with additional rail traffic but always taking into account its historic setting, its listed building status and the fact that the roof height above rail level is limited by statute.

1890 The lines through Princes Street Gardens were quadrupled, and the station was rebuilt around a central island. 2003 Access from a concourse above was considered in transforming the station with through platforms access and increasing the roof height restriction by 2 metres. This was deemed not viable at the time.

2019 THE NEW WAVERLEY MASTERPLAN - PREFERRED OPTION INCLUDED

The roofline to be raised significantly through an upper-level mezzanine area above the existing platforms. Recently restored roof and Corinthian columns to be demolished.

The overall footprint to be extended. No increase in the number of platforms,

THERE ARE SEVERAL GROUNDS FOR OBJECTION TO THIS PLAN AS FOLLOWS:

1. Heritage

The proposal does not take into account the A listed world heritage status of the station. - The building is one of the greatest surviving Victorian city stations in Europe, set within Edinburgh’s World Heritage Complex.

The roof height is limited by statute

The proposed development undermines the existing heritage building and sets a dangerous precedent for insensitive development within Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site

Heritage buildings, as part of modern societies, are symbols of community, civilization and culture. No less significant is their major contribution to the economy, particularly in a city like Edinburgh where tourism is a central line of revenue for the government and businesses alike. Therefore the need to preserve our heritage is not only a cultural requirement, but also an essential economical and developmental demand. Edinburgh is unique in preserving its outstanding combination of Medieval, Georgian and Victorian architecture at the heart of life in the 21st century.

The importance of the heritage status of the station and the city is not addressed in the new proposal. Furthermore, it does not provide thorough analyses or valuable alternative options for development.

2. Platform space

The proposed plan does not include an increase in the number of platforms. It is inefficient for a new development not to offer improvement to the core function of the building to justify growth.

3. Cost

The significant cost associated with the proposed development is still not justified. It is deeply inefficient for a new development to discard recent investment without improvement to the core function of the building. Assuming the project will be financed with public money we need see the risks of delays identify, the impact on the local economy, including the tourist industry. It would be helpful to have thorough analyses to demonstrate the economic models used to justify the investment.

4. Shops

The need for more shops is not justified, given the failing Waverley Market development and changing shopping trends. Desirable brands are moving into Multrees walk towards the St James development.

5. Disruption of services

The inevitable disruption of rail services and disruption of the city centre, including tourist attractions during construction is not justified, where there is lack of increase in transport infrastructure.

6. Sustainability

Demolishing the recently restored roof with Corinthian columns which cost over £100m is hugely wasteful. The cost of the proposed development is significant, even if it were not for the fact that the previous investment will be completely discarded.

7. Security

Encouraging a huge number of people to spend longer time at the premises requires increased security presence

It is clear that the preferred option for the new Waverley Masterplan is not supported by thorough professional analyses. There is a lack of in-depth studies and alternative options to develop and preserve the existing complex.

It is still not clear how the choice of a preferred option was made.

Many questions arise:

· What is the life expectancy of the proposed new roof?

· How will the development affect the surrounding areas?

· How does it fit into Haymarket station’s future development?

· Where did the predictions for future passengers come from and where is the input from Haymarket?

Edinburgh undoubtedly deserves world class services, including efficient and well-designed railway stations and exciting shopping complexes. It is a genuine concern how to deliver both without compromising iconic world heritage buildings. The proposed master plan does not address this concern sufficiently. Further In-depth studies and alternative options based on preservation should deliver a more considered and appropriate solution.

Proposals: A good start could be: International competition to be called. Involve more Scottish architects. Use the opportunity to promote Scotland as a civilised country, that treasures its heritage buildings with knowledge and respect. Design a brand new world class railway station to serve the businesses and visitors of Scotland.

Waverley station reminds me of one amazing lady who is proud to serve the nation despite her age. She just recovered after a hip replacement, but is offered now a fancy makeover with a facelift and she looks at us in horror and disbelief.

Pavlina Koeva-Ratcheva DIPL. ARCH. MA(HONS) RIBA, RIAS, UAB, CAB

Edinburgh, 29^th April 2019