The Plans for the Airport Rail Link

Click on the tabs at the bottom of the interactive map below to see how the new route fits into the local network, allowing direct rail travel to and from Scotland's main cities to the Airport.

Project Details

The powers sought by the Bill, as set out in the Promoter's Memorandum are to provide the promoter with statutory authority to:

construct a new station at Edinburgh Airport; and
construct new railways to connect this new station into the national railway network.

The works will provide approximately 14km of new railways together with nearly 4km of upgraded existing railway, and seek to connect:

the Edinburgh to Glasgow main line via:

to the north west, an upgraded section of the existing railway between Winchburgh and Kirkliston and a new railway, connecting the existing Dalmeny Chord Railway, between Kirkliston and the airport; and
to the south, connecting from the airport to the main line at Roddinglaw;

connecting with the Edinburgh to Fife and North East Railway via:

to the north, a new railway from the airport to Dalmeny; and
to the south, via a new railway from the airport to Gogar.

In connection with these works, the Bill provides for the 'stopping up' of lengths of some roads and other rights of way where they cross, or are on, the route. Diversions and substituted roads will be provided and are included as scheduled works. In addition, the Bill enables the authorised undertaker to construct miscellaneous works and do other things that are required in connection with, or in consequence of, the scheduled works.

The new railways will be able to operate as an integral part of the national rail network. However, this will require some adjustments, in particular to signaling equipment, within the existing network. In addition, the powers of the Bill allow for the necessary remodelling of two existing railway junctions: at Roddinglaw and Winchburgh.

The Bill also provides for the compulsory purchase of land required for the scheme.

For a detailed map of the proposed route click here to download a PDF (3.2Mb)

What Trains will use the Rail Link?

The timetable has not been finalised but it is possible that the following stopping pattern may be implemented:

Route	Trains Stopping
Edinburgh - Glasgow	2 per hour
Edinburgh - Dunblane	2 per hour
Fife	2 per hour
Edinburgh - Aberdeen	1 per hour
Edinburgh – Inverness& Perth	1 per hour