We have a date! Passengers will be able to take a ride on the Edinburgh Trams extension to Newhaven from 12pm on Wednesday 7th June – meeting the spring 2023 opening date of the line which also remains within the £207.3 million budget.
Over the past few months we have seen the gradual increase of trams running on the 2.91 mile extension which runs between York Place and Newhaven and with this having seen no major issues it has now been possible for an official opening date to be announced. It has long been said that services would be able to commence in spring 2023 and this will be achieved when trams start running on 7th June with spring still having a couple of weeks left after that.
City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Cllr Cammy Day, welcomed the news of the opening date from the official unveiling of the cable tram wheels at Iona Street. He said: “As we welcome back a piece of tram history to Leith Walk, it’s fitting that we’re also able to look forward to the future of Edinburgh’s tram network, and the start of passenger services on the brand-new line to Newhaven. While this is a moment for celebration, it’s also a chance to reflect on the last few years, and I’d like to take the opportunity to thank residents and businesses for their patience during this major, complex project.
“The completion of this line, delivering high capacity, clean transport to the densely populated north of the Capital, signifies our aspirations to become a sustainable, net zero city. And by improving connectivity to the waterfront, it won’t only promote further economic development in Leith, but will bring jobs and more affordable housing too. We’re now counting down the days to passenger services, and I’m pleased to say this project will be delivered within budget and on time. This is thanks to lessons learned from the previous project along with a great deal of hard work and dedication from the project team and contractors involved in the construction process.”
Lea Harrison, Managing Director of Edinburgh Trams, said: “The setting of a launch date for the new line is fantastic news for city residents and visitors, but particularly communities between the city centre and Newhaven. In recent years, thanks to the efforts of the entire Edinburgh Trams team, our multi award-winning tramway has become one of the most popular transport systems of its type thanks to a single-minded commitment to service excellence that will continue into an exciting new era. As we approach this major milestone in the history of Edinburgh Trams and the city, we can’t wait to welcome even more customers on board as we introduce swift and reliable services to the vibrant communities along the route, helping to unlock their full potential and providing a real boost for local businesses.”
The next few weeks will see the continuation of timetable testing – which got underway on Sunday 21st May after issues on its planned first day three days previously – on the route. This is seeing trams run at the normal timetable frequency with all trams from the Airport now running all the way through to Newhaven, albeit with passengers having to alight at St Andrew Square.
The news came on the same day that the Edinburgh Cable Tramway wheels were placed on display at Iona Street. These were found at the Pilrig Street junction with Leith Walk in August 2021 during excavation work for the construction of the new tramway. They have now been restored and will be on permanent public display as part of public realm improvements to Iona Street.
Some work remains to be completed for the tramway extension and will continue following the opening of the line on 7th June. These are public realm works and will be seen at various locations on the route.
We can now start the countdown to the start of services to Newhaven!
The cable tramway wheels are now in place at Iona Street. This is the view looking east along Iona Street towards Easter Road.
And then we look back to Leith Walk with a tram heading to the city centre. (Both Photographs by Roy Calderwood, 25th May 2023)
Closely followed by Midland Metro in second place and Blackpool last for openings.
I noticed on Midland Metro Alliance line painting of white lines on the road section takes place early next week, so a possible June opening for Midland Metro on the horizon as well
Great to see these historic wheels revealed and displayed, well done to all involved! I hope there’s an ongoing maintenance arrangement for them or that a local heritage group might ‘adopt’ them. Maybe now we can expect to see the short remaining section of Edinburgh’s cable track at Waterloo Place restored and celebrated too.