As we’ve recently reported on British Trams Online, there are overnight engineering works taking place on Edinburgh Trams which means that starting from Friday 27th October and until Sunday 12th November there will be no trams between Haymarket and Newhaven from 1900 to 0700 each night. Ahead of this work starting there was the construction of a temporary platform at Haymarket Yards, although this is not planned for use by passengers in normal working.
Usually when services are terminated short of Edinburgh City Centre from the direction of the Airport they run to West End and then reverse there using the crossover to the Haymarket side of the stop. For these works though that isn’t possible as the points here are actually part of the reason for the closure. That means that trams could only run as far as Haymarket and with points to change tracks not being located immediately by the stop it means that some single line running is required.
Throughout the works all trams from the Airport will terminate at Haymarket using the usual city/Newhaven bound platform. They will then depart back from the Airport using the same platform with single line working from there to Haymarket Yards where they will be able to regain the correct tracks. To allow this move to take place a temporary platform has been supplied at Haymarket Yards but its not intended in normal operation to be used by passengers.
During these works the last tram from the Airport to Newhaven each night will be at 1736 with the first return trip from Newhaven departing at 1834. In the morning the first chance to catch a tram directly from the Airport to Newhaven will be at 0636 and then that returns from Newhaven at 0730.
Ticket acceptance is being offered on specific Lothian Buses services each night whilst the works take place:
- 3, 4, 33 and 44 from Haymarket (Dalry Road)-West End-Princes Street
- 25 from Haymarket (Dalry Road)-Princes Street-Leith Walk-Foot of the Walk
- 16 from Princes Street-Picardy Place-Leith Walk-The Shore-Newhaven
A view of the temporary platform at Haymarket Yards. This area of the tramway was built with a third track and a short permanent platform was also provided.
One of the CR Smith liveried trams passes the temporary platform as it makes it way into the city centre. The building on the left covered in plastic sheeting is a former tax office being demolished which will be replaced by a hotel. (Photographs x2 by Roy Calderwood, 26th October 2023)
A poster on the shelter at Picardy Place explaining the works to passengers. (Photograph by Roy Calderwood, 28th October 2023)