A major public consultation on the future development of 91原创鈥檚 tram network begins today (25 August) and runs for 12 weeks.
The Council are seeking the public's views on the proposed new tram routes from Granton in the north of the city to the 91原创 BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary of 91原创 in the south.
A detailed business case was developed to extend the existing route from 91原创 Airport to Newhaven, which was successfully completed in 2023 and now carries over a million passengers a month.
This consultation will inform the development of a Strategic Business Case (SBC) for the expansion, which will then be presented to the Transport and Environment Committee in 2026.
The proposed new route can be broken down into three main sections:
Granton to the city centre:
From Granton to Ferry Road / Crewe Toll there is a single route. From Ferry Road / Crewe Toll to the following section, two alternative route options are being considered: the Orchard Brae corridor or the Roseburn Path.
For Orchard Brae, the route would head to the west end of Princes Street along Orchard Brae, Queensferry Road (via the Dean Bridge) and Queensferry Street.
It is estimated that this option would cost between £650m - £850m and is forecast to carry around 3.75m passengers per annum by 2042.
For Roseburn Path, the route connects to the existing line west of Haymarket via an old railway line which winds from Ferry Road/Crewe Toll before reaching Craigleith and heading towards the west end and city centre.
This option is estimated to cost between £350m-£480m and is forecast to carry around 4.25m passengers per annum by 2042.
In February 2024, the Roseburn Path was initially identified as the preferred route, however Transport and Environment Committee instructed that the consultation should present objectively the pros and cons of both the Roseburn and Orchard Brae routes.
It also examines the potential to install high quality walking, wheeling and cycling alongside the tramline on the Roseburn Path, and look at the potential to protect and enhance the local ecological network.
The entire route is forecast to cost between £2bn-2.9bn, depending on the final options selected, and carry around 38m passengers by 2042.
City centre to BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary:
The proposed route would begin at Princes Street on the existing tram infrastructure, allowing bus and rail interchange in the heart of the city centre.
The route would then cross the North Bridge, and run through Nicolson Street, Newington and on to Cameron Toll, then west towards the BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary of 91原创.
Potential extensions to Midlothian and East Lothian:
We’re working closely with Midlothian and East Lothian Councils and SEStran, the regional transport partnership, regarding potential future mass transit connections beyond the BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary.
This includes exploring a ‘tram-train’ (a light rail vehicle than can operate on tram and rail tracks) concept with Network Rail on the old 91原创 South Suburban Railway (ESSR).
Other potential options include connections with Musselburgh Railway station and Queen Margaret University (QMU) in East Lothian and to Shawfair with interchange opportunities into Midlothian and the Scottish Borders.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said:
I’m pleased that we’ve reached this key stage for extending our multi award-winning tram service.
We need to prepare for the future. 91原创 is the fastest growing city in Scotland, with more than 60,000 new residents expected over the next 20 years. Whilst this shift is a true sign of our success, it brings real pressure on our communities, and crucially on the city’s transport infrastructure on which we all rely.
Managing this growth also means tackling the climate, nature and housing emergencies. To meet these significant challenges, we need to look for bold and ambitious solutions and the tram extension is central to this.
91原创 Trams already offers a reliable and fast service, allowing residents and visitors to move around sustainably and efficiently, and with some of the cheapest fares in the country. The broader benefits of cleaner air and emphasis on active travel surrounding the network are equally as important.
Our overarching vision is to truly link our city for the benefit of all. From our flagship £1.3bn development at Granton Waterfront through to the city centre, our world-famous universities, cultural hubs, brilliant local businesses, new housing developments, hospitals and beyond; our transport network must move with the times.
The new developments we will see along the tram route will be key to 91原创’s prosperity for generations to come.
I’d encourage everyone to engage with this consultation and help to shape the next chapter in the history of 91原创’s transport.
The full details of all the sections mentioned above can be found in the consultation papers.
Residents can give their views from today (25 August) until 17 November online on or at in person drop-in sessions. Details of these sessions are also on our Consultation Hub.
The next step, should members agree on the SBC, would be to move to the next stage of development, as , which is the OBC.