Work on some sections of the Trams to Newhaven project, which will see Edinburgh Trams extended along Leith Walk and on to Newhaven, has been slightly delayed but despite this it is still expected to be ready to open in spring 2023 as planned – and all main construction works are still due to be finished by the end of 2022.
Whilst several sections have seen a delay in their expected completion dates, there is also some good news with other areas having now seen construction works completed whilst Leith Walk will reopen to two-way traffic between Pilrig Street and London Road from Monday 18th July. This comes about after the completion of main construction works between Montgomery Street/Annandale Street and Pilrig Street with fencing able to be removed and the road reopened.
In the latest update from the project team it has also been announced that the following has been achieved:
- Almost 3,900 metres of track laid (84% of the total)
- Main construction works completed on three of the eight tramstops with works also progressing well at Balfour Street, Foot of the Walk and Newhaven
- Over 4,000 metres of communications ducting installed (87% of the total) serving the tram and future communication requirements in the area
- More than 4,000 metres of drainage installed (89% of the total)
- Over 60,000 deliveries from logistic hubs to local businesses
- Almost 24,500 itison vouchers sold, generating over £24,000 potential spend in participating businesses on the route
- Over £175,000 spend on open for business campaigns
- Main construction works complete on several sections, including Ocean Terminal to Rennie’s Isle and between Tower Street and Constitution Place and Tower Street and Baltic Street
Despite this positivity there are unfortunately some areas which have now slipped behind the revised schedule which had been announced in March. These delays have mainly been put down to industry wide challenges with the availability of materials and skilled labour as well as issues such as complex utility conflicts.
Cllr Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “It’s great news that this key section of Leith Walk will soon reopen and will start its transition to becoming a vibrant multi-modal transport corridor. Not only does it mark a major milestone for the Trams to Newhaven project but I’m sure it will be most welcome to businesses and residents along this part of the route. I’d like to thank all those living and working nearby for their patience throughout the programme of work.
“As the project nears completion, the progress made so far is clear to see. Once finished, it will be transformative for the area and beyond. As well as delivering a low-carbon, high capacity and clean mode of transport to this densely populated part of Edinburgh, it will create improved public spaces, active travel links and support future growth and development.
“I do of course recognise that changes to the programme, which are down to issues outwith our control, are likely to affect people and we’ll be working hard to share the latest information and will continue to look at ways in which we can mitigate against some of these delays. To ensure residents are kept safe, I have also asked that parking restrictions are robustly enforced along the route.
“I’d like to thank the Trams to Newhaven project team for all their hard work. Despite the pandemic and global logistics problems, the project is on track to welcome its first passengers in spring 2023 and will be delivered within budget.”
The revised project timeline is as follows:
Newhaven to Melrose Drive
- Completion changed from June 2022 to October 2022
- Reinstatement works at end of the line are taking longer than expected. The size of the construction site will reduce in the coming months.
Melrose Drive
- Completion changed from Autumn 2022 to November 2022
Ocean Terminal
- Completion changed from May 2022 to October 2022
- The public realm outside Ocean Terminal is largely completed. The east side is taking longer due to complex utilities and the installation of drainage.
Ocean Terminal to Rennie’s Isle
- Main construction works completed
Rennie’s Isle to Tower Place
- Completion changed from Autumn 2022 to November 2022
- Complexity of utilities and discovery of further archaeology have resulted in a delay
Stevedore Place
- Completion changed from June 2022 to August 2022
Casino Access Road
- Completion changed from Autumn 2022 to November 2022
Tower Street to Constitution Place
- Main construction works completed but there will be landscaping, including tree planting, to happen during planting season (October to March)
Baltic Street to Tower Street
- Main construction works completed but there will be landscaping, including tree planting, to happen during planting season (October to March)
Tower Street attenuation pipes
- Completion changed from May 2022 to September 2022
- The discovery of uncharted utilities has resulted in a delay
Baltic Street to Queen Charlotte Street
- Main construction works completed
- Surfacing at Bernard/Baltic junction to be completed by end of July.
- Bernard Street public realm – October 2022
Queen Charlotte Street to Coatfield Lane
- Completion changed from Autumn 2022 to November 2022
Coatfield Lane to Foot of the Walk
- Completion changed from June 2022 to September 2022
- The narrowness of this section coupled with complexities associated with the reconstruction of the South Leith Parish Church wall and installation of the overhead line equipment poles have impacted on the programme
Foot of the Walk to Crown Street
- Completion changed from September 2022 to November 2022
Crown Street to Manderston Street
- Completion changed from July 2022 to October 2022
Manderston Street to Pilrig Street
- Completion changed from July 2022 to September 2022
Pilrig Street to London Street
- Main construction works completed
Elm Row
- Completion changed from July 2022 to November 2022
- Works have been delayed as result of utility conflicts in relation to the attenuation pipe works on Montgomery Street
York Place to London Road
- Completion changed from Autumn 2022 to November 2022
The project does still remain within its overall timeframe and within budget with testing and commissioning down to start in winter 2022/23 and continue into the spring. More details of this part of the scheme will be announced in the autumn. The first tram services are due to start to Newhaven at some point in spring 2023.
* New drone footage of the route has recently been released. It is available on YouTube.