Murrayfield tram stop to get giant SRU thistle logo

Published on Monday 18 May 2009 10:02

IT IS already an icon of Edinburgh, and now it is set to have an iconic entrance.

Visitors travelling to the home of Scottish rugby on Edinburgh's new tram line will be left in no doubt it is the right stop.

Murrayfield tram station is set to be one of the biggest in the city, with huge crowds expected to use the tram to travel to and from the many rugby internationals and concerts staged at the stadium every year.

The ground outside the new stop will be decorated with a huge version of the internationally famous "thistle" logo of the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU).

A wide semi-circle of stairs will lead down to Roseburn Street just a short walk from the stadium. The stairs are wide enough to accommodate the crowds expected to travel to the ground, which has a capacity of 67,000.

And there will also be elevators to help make the trip easier for disabled passengers.

Currently buses to Murrayfield drop fans on Corstorphine Road, just a few minutes walk from the stadium.

Huge crowds often see the road closed off after matches however, making it difficult to get a bus back into town.

This will not be a problem with the tram, although the sheer numbers are likely to mean a long wait for some at the tram stop.

Dominic McKay, director of communications and government affairs for the SRU, said it would welcome the creation of the new stop.

"We have been working closely with the tram firm, TIE, and the city council and we felt it was important to create a very attractive stop at Murrayfield, which will be the first impression many visitors will have of the new stadium," he said.

"Anyone who has had to get back into town from an event on a rainy day will tell you it's not the best experience, and hopefully the trams will improve that.

"We have a world-class stadium here, and we would welcome anything which will help improve the experience of our visitors, and give them a memorable welcome to Murrayfield, as well as making travel to and from the city centre a little easier."

Gavin Murray, design manager on the Edinburgh Tram Project, added: "This tram stop has been carefully designed to a high specification so as to provide excellent access to and from Roseburn Street opposite the main entrance to Murrayfield Stadium.

"The design consultation included the operator and the emergency services.

"The design includes a lift between Roseburn Street and the high level stop with the staircase graduated in such a way so as to control crowd access."