Edinburgh starts planning for Leith tram extension

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Edinburgh City Council is to consider the case for extending its tram network to Leith.

Leith had been included in original plans for the light rail system but the length of the line was scaled back after the project ran into funding problems.

The authority has asked for a report to be prepared on the proposed extension, which will be presented to the council in spring 2015.

Construction of the new line between Edinburgh Airport and York Place was completed in October 2013, returning trams to the city for the first time in 60 years.

Passenger services began on the 14-kilometre system in May this year. Since its launch, the tram has proved popular and is currently meeting estimated patronage figures.

The council said it retained powers under the Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Act to acquire land on the proposed route between Princes Street, Leith Walk, Leith Docks, Newhaven and Granton. The route then loops back towards the city, in part via a disused railway line between Granton and Roseburn.

In a report about future transport investment in the city, Edinburgh City Council stated: “A sustainable approach to planning public transport investment is essential.

“The case for trams should be considered as part of this broader sustainable approach by virtue of the potential to connect different parts of the city and to move large quantities of people, whilst enhancing the city’s environment.”

3 COMMENTS

    • Pretty sure the Scottish Government won’t, unless there’s a big change in 2015 (and even then…). But a lot of the preparation (moving services) has been done so it mightn’t be too expensive or risky.

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