The City of Edinburgh Council’s Transport and Environment Committee are set to decide in early February on whether to proceed with the plans to extend the Edinburgh Trams network between Granton and the Bio Quarter. If the decision is taken to go-ahead with the plans there would be a public consultation this spring which would then be followed by a Strategic Business Case.
The planned extension would run from Granton in the north to the Bio Quarter in the south and would go via Roseburn, on to the North and South Bridge, Clark Street and Minto Street to Cameron Toll, before following the A7 to the Bio Quarter.
If the Committee decide to go-ahead with the next stage – which is by far from the final stage to starting the extension – there will be a 12 week consultation in spring 2024. This would show the public the recommended route across the four sections of the extension (Granton-City Centre, through the City Centre, City Centre-Bio Quarter and Bio Quarter and beyond) with an explanation of why it has been chosen. Alterative options will also be given including reasons why they were rejected.
This engagement will build on a consultation on the City Mobility Plan in 2020/21 which saw 62% of people would like to see the tram network expanded and 89% wanted general improvements to public transport.
Cllr Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “Like cities around the world we’re challenged by poor air quality, congestion and carbon emissions relating to transport. This, paired with a rapidly increasing population – projected to grow at three times the rate of Scotland’s – demonstrates the pressing need to rethink the way we move people and goods around the Capital.
“By improving public transport, we want to provide safe, efficient and affordable travel in Edinburgh, and expanding the tram network is key to this. It’s clear that the public support it too, with almost two-thirds of respondents to our CMP consultation in favour of more tram routes. Of course, we know how disruptive a project of this scale can be to residents and businesses, but the success of the recently completed line to Newhaven is proof that we’re well prepared.
“Our recommended route for Granton to the BioQuarter and beyond links key areas of growth and development to the city and will more than double the capacity of our tram network. Not only would this support local regeneration and the delivery of much-needed affordable homes, but it would help create new jobs, boost economic growth and link to educational and cultural venues along the route.
“We’re already engaging with Transport Scotland to explore financial options, and it’s encouraging that mass rapid transit in the area has been highlighted as an investment priority by the Scottish Government. We’ll continue to work closely with them and other stakeholders as we look to progress this major project.”
If everything is approved at the meeting on 1st February then the results from the consultation along with a draft Strategic Business Case would be reported back to the Committee in the autumn.
Apparently they are already kicking off about part of the route because it would mean the closure of a cycle way. The irony is the cycle way is on a former railway line! On that basis then the logic must be to return it to the tram route. One of my son’s lives in Edinburgh and he sent this info from a local newspaper!