A recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request made of Edinburgh Trams has revealed that since the system opened in May 2014 there have been 112 collisions with other road vehicles, four with cyclists and seven incidents involving pedestrians, leading to one death.
The FOI data does not reveal the nature of all these collisions, nor does it give any information as to whether the tram was to blame but the figures have led local opposition politicians to demand an urgent review of safety measures in place.
Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative MSP for Lothian, said: “In the time the Edinburgh Trams have been operating we have already seen several incidents where people have been injured or killed in incidents involving trams and on the tram lines.
“I have met with several of those affected to discuss what action needs to be taken to prevent further avoidable injuries occurring.
“There must be an urgent review by the SNP Government of what additional safety measures should be put in place. John Swinney must commit to making this review happen without further delay so that we can ensure the safety of residents and visitors in Edinburgh.”
Whilst any collision is regrettable and the death of Carlos Correa Palacio at Saughton in September 2018, which led to recommendations for safety improvements by the RAIB which have been implemented, was a tragedy the number of collisions does remain low and the system on the whole has an excellent safety record. The number of collisions with road vehicles equates to around one a month since the system opened and many of these have been fairly minor.
The Office of Road and Rail commented: “We have been working with the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board to ensure that safety, standards, and good practice continues to be improved across all tramways, including Edinburgh Trams.
“Edinburgh Trams has introduced improved safety measures on their tram fleet to improve audibility warnings to pedestrians and installed new signage and bollards at crossings to improve the safety of pedestrians at crossings. New red-surfaced cycle lanes to direct cyclists on the safest route to cross the tram tracks to avoid getting their wheels stuck, have also been introduced.”