In our latest look at the construction works on the Trams to Newhaven project which will see the Edinburgh Trams network extended by almost 3 miles between York Place and Newhaven we head to the tramstop at the Port of Leith to see the latest progress there. Roy Calderwood provides the images.
The stop at Port of Leith is the third from last stop from the end of the line (or sixth from the city centre end of the line if you prefer to come from that direction). Located in the centre of Ocean Drive it features an island platform, as the majority of the stops on the extension do so. Its close to Stevedore Place which provided some controversy earlier in the project because of the number of trees which were due to be cut down.
The most recent construction progress route map – released at the end of October 2022 – shows that the tramstop is at the “Civils” stage of construction whilst the track through this area has reached the “Signalling” stage. The progress map can be viewed on the Trams to Newhaven website at https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/tramstonewhaven/downloads/file/672/progress-route-map-october-2022-pdf-, with it showing that a lot of areas are reaching the last stages of main construction work as we move towards the testing process. Don’t forget it could be a little more than six months time that we see trams running in service along the extension!
This view is looking west towards Ocean Terminal and Newhaven and shows the island platform. The Tradewinds development is on the left and the flats of Stevedore Place are on the right. Behind Stevedore Place (although not in view) is the Albert Dock. Just seen in the distance is MV Fingal (a floating hotel) which is owed by the Trust that operates Britannia.
Here we look across the island platform towards the Trade Winds development. The nearest face of the platform will be served by trams to the city centre and the Airport. Those trams which head towards the city will turn sharp right a short distance beyond the end of the platform on the left and continue via Ocean Way and Constitution Street to The Shore tramstop.
As has been the way on the extension the stop signs have also now been added to the stop. Compare this to the West Midlands Metro extension to Edgbaston Village where the stop signs went up just a few days before trams started running! (All Photographs by Roy Calderwood, 12th November 2022)