The City of Edinburgh Council are to discuss plans which would more than double the length of the tram network in early 2023. Plans are to be considered which could see trams running from Granton to Dalkeith – although its not a scheme which would be ready any time soon, estimates are that the first trams could run in 2032.
Plans for trams to run north-south through the city centre have long been considered, indeed the original Edinburgh Trams network which was severely curtailed due to budget overruns would have included Granton on the map. But these current plans have been part of a transport plan for a few years, although the latest routeing is new as it would now miss Roseburn and instead run via Orchard Brae and Crewe Toll.
Its hoped that if approved these plans would help to reduce congestion and allow the city to reach net carbon neutral zero – although that’s planned to be by 2030 and these extensions wouldn’t be in place for at least two years after that so possibly won’t help to start with.
The extensions would be built as two phases: from Granton to the city centre via Orchard Brae and Crewe Toll and from the city centre to the Bio Quarter at Dalkeith. Its not known which would be built first and no estimate of costs has been revealed at this time. The Council, however, hope that it would be considered as national infrastructure which means funding would come from the Scottish government.
The revised route from Granton has been suggested as it would serve more residential areas and would also avoid Roseburn which is being developed as a walking and cycling route. This would mean that the route would turn right at the end of Princes Street rather than continuing to Haymarket. This alternative route is not without engineering challenges through with The Dean Bridge not considered suitable for the laying of tram tracks.
Cllr Scott Arthur, Edinburgh City Council’s Transport Convener, said: “Roseburn is attractive because it’s a former railway line, but there are accessibility issues there. Whereas this newer route goes right through residential areas and may connect better for people. We’ll listen to residents on which route we should pick but we’re committed to delivering the biggest ever expansion of public transport in Edinburgh. We’re making the case to the Scottish Government for this being a piece of national infrastructure. And that means they start to think about funding it and that’s really important.”
These discussions are just that though, discussions, and there is no guarantee that anything will come of them. But the Council are at least considering ways to continue to expand the network – and we still have the opening of the line to Newhaven to look forward to in the first half of next year.
Good news is the plans do have Scottish Government support. They are included in the Strategic Transport Project Review 2, just published (if interested, just Google STPR2). The proposed routes are as indicated above. The Newbridge branch from near Ingliston Park and Ride would be short and simple (and of course was on the original plan), the others more difficult. Personally I would regard east end of Princes Street at least to Royal Infirmary as a priority; it needs a frequent 24-hr service. Obviously this is all long term, and there isn’t going to be a lot of money about for the foreseeable future, but it is reassuring, and a positive approach to the expansion of Edinburgh’s tram system. Despite its difficulties, it is highy popular with users and a definite asset to the city even in its present limited extent.