When Edinburgh Trams finally opened at the end of May it was just a single line and a tint proportion of what had been hoped for. However could we see a larger network in the future? Edinburgh City Council have commissioned a detailed business case to see how feasible it is to extend the line to Leith as hopes are raised that the Scottish capital could one day end up with a tram system it deserves.<\/p>\n
A recent report, \u201cFuture Investment in Public Transport \u2013 Potential Tram Extension\u201d, has set out plans to extend the current system from the city centre terminus at York Place along Leith Walk \u2013 as per the original plans. The report suggests it would cost \u00a380 million to construct the line and the hope is most of this would be funded privately by the developers of the St James Centre. A \u00a31 billion project to redevelop the area is due to be launched in 2019 and it is thought that extending the tramway to serve this would be the icing on the cake.<\/p>\n
A council source was quoted in the Edinburgh Evening News: \u201cThe St James Quarter represents a massive investment into the east of Edinburgh and the city can\u2019t really afford to pass it up. The trams were always intended to regenerate Leith and there looks to be money on the table to do just that. It has to happen eventually so there\u2019s a general sense it might as well go ahead to coincide with and benefit from the St James development.\u201d<\/p>\n
The business case will cost \u00a3400,000 to produce and will be presented to Councillors in the spring after which a decision will be made on whether to go ahead with the plans.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
When Edinburgh Trams finally opened at the end of May it was just a single line and a tint proportion of what had been hoped for. However could we see a larger network in the future? Edinburgh City Council have … Continue reading