The chances of extending the Edinburgh Trams network further have been given a boost with the release of the final Scottish Government’s Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) report. The wide ranging report has been published by Transport Scotland and aims to inform transport investment in Scotland for the next 20 years (up until 2042). Although there is no guarantee funding will be forthcoming for the projects mentioned in the report it does give preliminary backing to the plans with local authorities now able to develop them further.
The STPR2 report (which can be downloaded at https://www.transport.gov.scot/media/52649/final-summary-report-december-2022-stpr2.pdf) has several recommendations included. This includes plans for Edinburgh and South East Scotland Mass Transit and whilst it mentions both tram and bus-based transit modes as possibilities there are several tram routes which are currently being considered by the City of Edinburgh Council and the backing of the overall scheme in this report should give a boost to the Council in formulating their plans. Indeed in the recent news about the extension between Granton and Dalkeith the Council said they hoped funding could come from national government and this report seems to suggest that could happen.
The reports recommendation says: “Transport Scotland [should] work with regional partners to develop and enhance the cross-boundary public transport system for the Edinburgh and South East Scotland region, potentially comprising tram and bus-based transit modes including bus rapid transit (BRT) and bus priority measures. This would complement and integrate with the region’s current bus, tram and heavy rail networks, to provide improved connectivity between Edinburgh and the surrounding communities in the region, as well as more direct connections between
communities outside Edinburgh.”
Amongst extensions which could see a boost from this report are the previously mentioned Granton to Dalkeith line along with routes to Sheriffhall Park and Ride and Newcraighall. There could also be an extension beyond Edinburgh Airport to Newbridge and Musselburgh is also included on a potential tram route map.
Speaking after the release of the report, Cllr Scott Arthur, City of Edinburgh Council’s Transport and Environment Convener, said: “As part of the city mobility plan we have committed to the expansion of the mass rapid transit network, providing sustainable, high capacity transport options for people travelling to and around Edinburgh. This development is a vote of confidence and will allow us to move forward with future plans for both tram and bus transit, and following the successful completion of the Trams to Newhaven line.”
Whilst much of what is mentioned in the report for Edinburgh is not new news – it was included in the draft version of the report – the fact that despite the current economic climate it is still prepared to discuss and back proposals for improving public transport with trams in the city and surrounding area must be seen as a positive development.
Also included in the report is plans for a Clyde Metro. The report is pretty non committal about what form this Metro could feature with bus rapid transit, tram, light rail and metro rail all mentioned as possibilities. Transport Scotland are being recommended to work with Glasgow City Council, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and other regional partners to develop the plans further.