Edinburgh approves plans for tram network expansion

The Edinburgh Transport and Environment Committee has approved the Strategic Business Case to expand the city’s tram network. The project will prioritize a new route connecting Granton in the north to the Edinburgh Bioquarter in the south.

Future phases will focus on extending the network from Granton to the city center. The expansion plans will be integrated with the findings of the SEStransit study for the South East of Scotland region, which is due in autumn next year. Additionally, the project will align with a feasibility study conducted by Transport Scotland and Network Rail regarding the potential reintroduction of passenger services on the South Suburban Railway line.

Advisory work regarding funding and financing options with the National Wealth Fund is ongoing. Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, the Transport and Environment Convener, noted that the expansion is a response to Edinburgh being the fastest-growing city in Scotland, which necessitates improvements to transport infrastructure to support economic growth and address challenges in housing and education.