Rail passengers using Edinburgh will see a number of changes at Waverley and Haymarket as five new platforms were opened today - 27 December 2006.

At Waverley, a new platform numbering system has been introduced to incorporate four new platforms. At Haymarket, platform 0 is used for the small number of services that are timetabled to depart from, and terminate at, the station instead of Waverley. Extra staff, signage and passenger information is available to help passengers familiarise themselves with the new arrangements.

David Simpson, route director at Network Rail, said: "The opening of the new platforms shows that real progress is being made at Edinburgh Waverley. They are a key part of the increase in capacity and passenger comfort that the current redevelopment will bring. As they are opening just after Christmas, shoppers can enjoy an easier and less congested journey to and from the post-Christmas sales."

Mary Dickson, Managing Director of First ScotRail, said: “As always, our focus is on our customers. Robust arrangements are in place to keep passengers fully informed, and to ensure that any inconvenience is kept to a minimum during works which will ultimately make journeys easier by lessening congestion and increasing the number of services.”

Robert Samson, Passenger Focus, Passenger Link Manager said: “It is essential that during the redevelopment work passengers are kept informed about the disruption to services and timetable changes affecting their journey. We are pleased to note that the rail industry in Scotland is working together to co-ordinate the timetable changes and ensure that passengers have access to the information in plenty of time to inform their journey decisions.”

Station staff will be on hand to assist passengers, and all the changes are clearly marked on signs and maps throughout the stations.