The City of Edinburgh Council\u2019s Transport and Environment Committee have approved the Strategic Business Case (SBC) to build an extension of the tram network from Granton in the north to the Edinburgh Bioquarter in the south. As per the recommendations on the report which had been released ahead of the meeting of the Committee they have committed to prioritising the southern section to allow more work to be undertaken on a route to and from Granton.<\/p>\n
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The next step for the plans will be to position it within the findings of SESTransit \u2013 a study for transport in the South East of Scotland region. This is expected to be delivered in autumn 2027. The work will also be aligned with the feasibility study on the potential introduction of tram-trains on the South Suburban Railway line (currently being undertaken by Transport Scotland and Network Rail).<\/p>\n
Cllr Stephen Jenkinson, Transport and Environment Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: \u201cThis is a key milestone in our ambition to expand Edinburgh\u2019s tram network.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s not forget why we\u2019re developing these plans. Edinburgh is the fastest growing city in Scotland, growing at twice the rate of Glasgow, in the fastest growing region in the country. Whilst this trend brings exciting opportunities, inward investment, and economic growth, it also presents real challenges on housing, education, and of course on our transport infrastructure. Doing nothing in the face of these significant issues is simply not an option.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom our groundbreaking \u00a31.3 billion development at Granton Waterfront, through to the city centre, our world-famous universities, cultural hubs, brilliant local businesses, new housing developments, hospitals and beyond \u2013 our overarching vision remains to effectively link the whole of Edinburgh, and the wider region, for the benefit of all.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe only need to look at the success of the existing route and, in particular, Trams to Newhaven, and the new lease of life that this connection has breathed into communities across Leith and the north of the city, to see the potential. Whilst we\u2019re prioritising the southern section of the planned expansion, I\u2019m clear that the whole city should ultimately enjoy the many benefits of a truly integrated public transport system.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the key questions around this project is rightly on funding. To progress not only to the next phase of the business case but potential future construction costs, we need to demonstrate clearly how our plans will positively impact our region and Scotland as a whole. While I\u2019m in no doubt that this is the case, it makes good sense to wait for the wider SEStransit study to conclude next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cTo be clear, this is one of the most ambitious and forward-thinking schemes in the country and represents huge potential benefits not only for Edinburgh, but regionally and nationally.<\/p>\n
My focus remains on making the positive case for Edinburgh\u2019s future and ensuring that we\u2019re ready to meet the challenges ahead. We need to be bold and create a better, more sustainable and connected city, rather than putting our heads in the sand and hoping for the best.\u201d<\/p>\n
We won\u2019t go into the controversy of the route of the northern section from Granton again (its all down to the Roseburn Path preferred option which local residents have said is unsuitable but council officials believe is the only reasonable option), but one of the key outcomes of this decision is that any future extension will \u2013 at any rate initially \u2013 concentrate on the southern section to the BioQuarter to give more time to consider the best options for the route to Granton.<\/p>\n
Advisory work on funding and financing options with the National Wealth Fund (NWF) will also continue, alongside a wider benefits realisation study for Trams to Newhaven, which is expected to be considered later this year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The City of Edinburgh Council\u2019s Transport and Environment Committee have approved the Strategic Business Case (SBC) to build an extension of the tram network from Granton in the north to the Edinburgh Bioquarter in the south. As per the recommendations … Continue reading