Whilst work hasn’t started yet on the construction of the tramstop at Picardy Place – which as we all know will be the first stop on the extension out towards Newhaven – there has been progress around it with track continuing to go down as part of the Trams to Newhaven project.
We’ve said it before – and will probably say it many times more! – but Picardy Place is in effect a replacement stop for York Place, which was demolished having closed in February 2022 to allow tracks from the current line and new line to be joined up. It will serve the St James Quarter development in addition to other hotels and facilities in the area.
This view is looking due west – in tramway terms towards the next stop at St Andrew Square – with the Airport bound track on the left and the Newhaven bound track on the right. On the extreme left we can just make out St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral with Holiday Inn Express on the other side. To the right of the tree is a blank painted corner pub – the Conan Doyle. Named after the famous author of the Sherlock Holmes stories, Arthur Conan Doyle was born in a new demolished tenement beyond the three workmen. There used to be a statue of Sherlock Holmes here and it will return once the final layout in this location is confirmed. (Photograph by Roy Calderwood, 21st May 2022)
Further along the extension and one of two new substations being built for the extension is now structurally complete. Built on part of the site of the former first generation tram depot on Leith Walk work is still needing on fitting it out with the electrical equipment with new cables currently being laid to link with the track. (Photograph by John Hampton, 27th May 2022)