The progress being made on constructing Edinburgh Trams has been in the spotlight again recently as Keith Brown – the Scottish Minister for Transport – visited the site of the Airport tramstop alongside Cllr Lesley Hinds – Transport Convener on the City of Edinburgh Council. The CEO of Edinburgh International Airport, Gordon Dewar, was also present as all three saw how much progress was being made on the construction of the stop.
Cllr Hinds commented: “The tram project is now making good, steady progress in line with the revised schedule and when finished will be a vital part of a new, modern, integrated transport system for the future. This particular part of the line is especially important and will connect the city centre to the Airport, something that will benefit
the people of Edinburgh and visitors for many years to come. As we’ve seen, the line goes right to the airport and will be convenient and accessible to all passengers.”
Keith Brown added: “It was fascinating to visit the site and see the overhead power lines that are due to go live at the end of November. This will allow the system to undergo testing, a crucial stage of the process, and is further evidence of the significant progress being made. The trams project has caused a lot of disruption to many residents, businesses and motorists in Edinburgh, and they deserve praise for their patience. However I am heartened to see the project taking shape, and Transport Scotland is now playing a key
role in overseeing the delivery. Our immediate focus, and that of the Council, is to deliver a tram project that will help erase the memories of what has gone before, and breathe new life into the capital. There are of course major benefits for the rest of Scotland’s transport network. In terms of connectivity, the new Edinburgh Airport tram stop, combined with the planned Edinburgh Gateway rail-tram interchange, refurbished Haymarket Station and existing station at Edinburgh Park, will provide better links and more options with between the Scottish rail network, Edinburgh Airport and other key transport hubs.”
The section of tramway between Gogar Depot and the Airport is due to have its overhead power switched on from Monday 26th November after which time testing is expected to take place utilising some of the 27 CAF built trams which have already been delivered to Edinburgh. This testing will be done under the control of the contractors who will then hand the 2.8km stretch of line over to the Council in March 2013. The whole line – between the Airport and the City Centre – remains on “schedule” to open sometime in 2014.
* Video footage of the visit to the Airport tramstop site can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elLWdnLN9rc