EARL at the Airport

The concept design presently being developed is for a below ground two-level station with an island platform. The platforms are approximately 6m below existing ground level and the ticket hall concourse is approximately 3m above ground level.

The platform will be an "island" type approximately 220m long and 15m wide.

There are two platform faces:

• Platform 1 - Up Line to Edinburgh
• Platform 2 - Down Line to Glasgow, Dunblane, Fife, Aberdeen, Perth and Inverness

The northern half of the platforms will be covered by a roof slab supporting the ticket hall and station concourse. The southern half of the station will be protected from the elements by a roof canopy designed to provide natural ventilation.

 
Artist's Impression - Internal View of Station

The entrance to the station will be around 300m from the existing entrance to the airport terminal; a covered walkway between the station and terminal will be provided. It is anticipated that airport terminal expansion will in due course give an integrated building form.

The station will form part of a transport interchange, which will integrate rail, tram, bus and taxi services with the airport terminal.

No car parking provision will be provided at the station.

It is anticipated that the Edinburgh International Airport station will be operated by the holder of the Scottish train operating franchise. This is currently First ScotRail.

The station will be staffed and it is assumed that it will be operational between the hours of 05.00 and 24.00.

The station design will be based on the following passenger forecasts:

• 2012   1.8 million travellers per year
• 2026   4.9 million travellers per year*

Facilities at the station will take account of those in the adjacent airport terminal building. The design is being developed to accommodate the following facilities:

• Ticket Office and Customer Services
• Ticket Hall Concourse, including passenger operated ticket sales points (TVMs and ATMs)
• Facilities for mobility impaired or disabled passengers
• Station Operations Room with public access for information and other customer services
• Waiting Rooms
• Toilets (including unisex baby-changing and disabled facilities)
• Public telephones
• Automatic ticket barriers
• British Transport Police facilities
• High quality display units

The design of the station is being led by Aedas, internationally recognised architects. Concept designs are underway and will result in a single preferred option to be developed in detail. It is a requirement of the project funder (Transport Scotland) that the station is a leading example of sustainable design, whilst also providing a "Gateway to Scotland" for users of Edinburgh International Airport.

 
Artist's Impression - External View of the Station from the Airport Terminal

The station will be designed to a high specification to ensure that the station will reflect a public transport system in which disabled people have the same opportunities to travel as other members of society. An Access Consultant will be recruited and tie will involve the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) during detailed design. The outlined areas to be looked at during the next design phase of EARL include: Access Routes Ramp and Lifts Induction loops Staffed ticket office with windows at varying heights Signage - textual, pictorial (visual and audible information) Lighting Matt surfaces to avoid reflection Seating in contrasting colour Use of tactile material During the Preliminary Stage of the Parliamentary process, the EARL Private Bill Committee welcomed tie's approach and acknowledged that tie is commited to developing an all-inclusive and accessible design. The Committee further agreed that tie has taken reasonable steps to ensure that the EARL scheme will be accessible for all.

…That over the appraisal life of the project (60 years) car journeys to the Airport will be reduced by 1.4 billion vehicle kilometres.

September 2007 Following a motion passed in the Scottish Parliament; the EARL project is to be suspended. Work completed to date on the design of EARL will be preserved and archived in a manner which does not close down future options. 20th July 2007 Following a motion passed in the Scottish Parliament on the 27th June; current development work on the EARL Project will be suspended by the end of July 2007. 19th April 2007 The EARL Bill was granted Royal Assent on Thursday the 19th April and is now an Act of Parliament. 14th March 2007 The Scottish Parliament has voted to approve the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Bill following a debate at Holyrood today 13th February 2007 EARL Consideration Stage Report Praises 'Open and Transparent' tie Limited 6th December 2006 The Assessor Period ends with 18 remaining Objections. The Assessor will report to the Committee in the New Year 11th October 2006 Scottish Power Energy Networks withdraws its objection to EARL 15th September 2006 tie welcomes EARL committe approval 26th June 2006 EARL receives Euro funding boost