The City of Edinburgh Council have confirmed that the 12-week consultation into plans for the proposed North-South tramline will launch from 25th August 2025 on their online consultation hub. Originally expected to start in the spring, it was announced in March that it would be delayed until August so that it wasn’t taking place during the school summer holidays and political recess.
The North-South line would run from Granton in the north of the city to the Bioquarter (and possibly beyond) in the south. This has been identified as the line which would provide the most benefit to the city and is part of the City Mobility Plan and the City Plan 2030.
The proposal is not without its controversy though and that all relates to the Roseburn Corridor, a former railway line. As part of the initial plans this has been found to be the best option for running the tramway as it has already been safeguarded for future tram use and would cause the least disruption during construction.
However, it has been developed into a thriving green corridor and is used extensively by both pedestrians and cyclists. Campaigners have called for an alternative route to be found as they believe its loss would be detrimental to the area and any other options for cyclists and pedestrians would be less safe or desirable.
Whilst the Council have said that the Roseburn route is the current preferred option, they have acknowledging the concerns and have committed that during the consultation they will give people the chance to not only comment on the Roseburn Corridor route but also the alternative via Orchard Brae. This alternative route will likely increase costs and would be on-road, including running over Dean Bridge which is considered to be an engineering challenge. On the flip side it would provide better connections to Craigleith retail park and the Western General Hospital.
Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “I’m pleased to have reached such an important stage in the project – and I look forward to hearing the public’s views on our plans when the consultation opens later this month. Extending our hugely popular and multi award-winning tram service to the north and south of the city – and potentially beyond – would bring huge social, economic and environmental benefits, while helping us to face the challenges of the future.”
The consultation is due to start on Monday 25th August and continue until Monday 17th November 2025. Full details will be posted at https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/public-transport/trams-granton-bioquarter-beyond
It is IMPERATIVE that the Roseburn path is maintained as a nature trail for pedestrians and cyclists. Its amenity value is extremely high and will be destroyed if a tram route is bulldozed thro’ it.
The existing route to Leith could easily be extended to access the Western infirmary, which has an excellent bus service now.