One year on from the start of the project, Network Rail has installed the first of 28,000 panes of glass into Waverley Station’s new roof.
Part of a £130m project to redevelop Edinburgh's central railway station, Waverley's new roof will see steelwork restored and replaced and clear glazing installed across the structure’s entire 34,000m2 span.
To date, project contractors, led by Balfour Beatty have focussed on creating a safe platform for the workforce to operate from.
While over 23 million passengers a year go about their business, a workforce of 130 work above their heads.
The working platform is supported by scaffolding and encapsulated to prevent dust and noise polluting the station environment. From that location, the project team can strip away old glazing, abrasive grit blast the steel work to strip off old layers of paint and install the structure which will support the new glazing.
Ron McAulay, Network Rail Director, Scotland called the installation of the first pane "a real landmark moment".
"Regular users of Waverley will see just how much work has been undertaken already just to enable us to get access to the roof and to create a safe working environment. Ultimately, the goal of this project is to create a brighter, better station for passengers," he said.
“The scale of the job only becomes apparent when you are up on the roof, looking at the familiar valleys and peaks stretch a quarter of a mile into the distance. It’s little wonder that it will take until 2013 to complete."
McAulay said Edinburgh trains have not been disrupted due to the works, although passengers have had to negotiate extensive hoardings around Waverley as work is carried out on the station entrances.
"The project will see all of the old glazing on the roof replaced including a large section made of clear plastic sheeting, the result of a low cost temporary fix made twenty years ago. The last remnants of an old footbridge which once linked Calton Road and Jeffrey Street will also be removed. The structure of the footbridge, which closed in the 1950s, will remain but will be opened up to allow more light into the station below."
As part of the extensive Waverley Station makeover, the concourse will be resurfaced, furniture will be cleaned or removed and building exteriors will get a makeover. Work will progress in phases with minimum disruption to train services and the operation of the station.
The government-funded scheme involves creating a new covered step and escalator access from Princes Street to the north entrance to Waverley as well as lift access from the station to Princes Street via the roof of Princes Mall.