When there was a change in administration on the City of Edinburgh Council earlier this year as Labour became the controlling party you could have been forgiven if you thought that was the end of proposed tram extension in the city. In opposition Labour had been critical of the SNP’s record with the tram extensions (although nowhere near as much as the Scottish Conservatives) but it now seems that a new £1 billion transport plan they are set to unveil in December will include as its centrepiece a north-south line between Granton and the Bioquarter.
These plans for this extension may sound familiar – and that’s because they are! As part of the original Edinburgh Trams network (of which just the Airport to City Centre section was initially built) trams should have travelled to Granton but that idea was shelved after the project went massively over budget. But following the success of the first section the plans have been revived and they were previously included as part of the City Mobility Plan amongst other plans seen in recent years.
Although the plans have been seen before, as administrations change plans often fall by the wayside so it is at least pleasing to see that the new powers that be in charge of the Council see the importance of continuing to expand the network – especially with the high-profile climate change agenda in full swing looking to reduce the reliance on cars across the region.
The route – expected to cost as much as £1 billion – would run from Granton in the north of the city to the southern city boundary, including the Bio Quarter. Exact routes and proposed stops won’t be known just yet as this will presumably form part of the transport plan due to be released this December.
As well as the tram extension this plan will investigate the possibility of reopening the suburban and south side railway line. Its also reported that there is the potential for a ferry linking Newhaven and Kirkcaldy.
The bulk of the funding would likely to have to come from the Scottish Government. If this is awarded and all goes according to plan its hoped trams could start running by 2030.
Cllr Scott Arthur, Transport Convener, said: “This new tram line will be the largest expansion of public transport we will have seen in Edinburgh this century. The line will more than double the capacity of the tram. It’s a key part of our ambition to hit net zero targets and reduce car miles in the city. We will listen to residents on this issue, and work with them to transform and de-carbonise the transportation system in our capital.”