In Issue 195 we reported proposals to reopen Abbeyhill Station to passenger trains.
Spurtle has now seen a document originating from the influential public-transport campaign organisation Capital Rail Action Group (CRAG). It lays out reasons why they feel the plan could and should go ahead.
First, here is a reminder of the background. As part of the £1 billion Edinburgh–Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP), Network Rail Scotland plan to relay rails on the now redundant track to the north of the the main lines heading east from the Calton Tunnels. These would provide sidings for trains which currently block platform capacity at Waverley, and would reach nearly as far as the former Abbeyhill Station.
CRAG say previous studies into reopening Abbeyhill have assumed a full (and expensive) reopening of the Edinburgh South Suburban Railway. Various factors, including cost, have mitigated against this option.[img_assist|nid=2167|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=640|height=509]
However, since now much of the infrastructure required for this proposal would be delivered by EGIP, reopening Abbeyhill Station should be possible at low marginal cost, 'especially if also utilising dwell times for ScotRail trains currently terminating at Waverley'.
CRAG see benefits in the proximity of dense housing (and therefore many potential passengers) in the Calton, Easter Road, London Road and Abbeyhill areas to the east of Edinburgh city centre. They also point to the conveniently close Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.
The station site – below London Road – offers the prospect of good bus connections eastwards and northwards. 'Passengers would be able to board the train at Abbeyhill for journeys to the west with easy interchange at Waverley for other onward rail journeys.'
In conclusion, CRAG say 'We believe this proposal represents a “once in a generation” opportunity to enhance rail facilities in this part of Edinburgh'.
The subject will be discussed at a public meeting on 2 November (7pm, Church Hall on corner of London and Easter Rds; David Boyce of Network Rail will speak).