Things that we like to see – good progress for trams to return to Leith Walk as the Trams to Newhaven project continues ahead of an expected public opening in the spring. The City of Edinburgh Council have announced that two-way traffic will return to Leith Walk this February and that the overhead will be fully electrified shortly afterwards.
This milestone will come after the final stretch of overhead is installed which will link the current line (which runs as far as York Place) and the start of the extension as it turns to Picardy Place and then on to Leith Walk. A closure of the tramway between West End and St Andrew Square will be in place for this to happen from 13th to 19th February.
Both northbound and southbound traffic along the length of Leith Walk will be reintroduced during the same week (week commencing 13th February) – which is bound to come as a relief to both businesses and local residents, not to mention Lothian Buses!
After the last stretch of overhead is installed (so far 93% had been put up) it will be switched on and following that will be yet another a milestone, and a quick exciting one at that. As it will be followed by the start of testing and commissioning – yes, the first trams will run on the line with this expected to be as soon as early March. There will also be final track preparations taking place in the lead up to this happening.
Cllr Scott Arthur, City of Edinburgh Council Transport Convener, said: “In just a matter of weeks we’ll see test trams running the length of the Trams to Newhaven route, which is really exciting. Energising the overhead lines and buffering of the tram tracks are the final steps before this happens.
“Reopening Leith Walk to two-way traffic is a key moment for the project too and, I’m sure, for all those who live and work in the area. I’d like to thank residents and businesses for their patience and support while we’ve carried out these works.
“Once fully complete, this project will be transformative for Leith Walk and the rest of the route, while benefitting the wider city economy and helping to cut congestion. Not only will it provide reliable, high-capacity connections to the north of the city but has significantly improved and enhanced public spaces and active travel links along the line.”
The project remains on target to open this spring and within the budget of £207.3 million. There do still remain some small areas of public realm works to be completed (caused by industry issues with the availability of materials and skilled labour – with Brexit and the war in Ukraine amongst the reasons for this) but these are not expected to impact the schedule for the line to open to the public.