The South Sub's still on track

Published on Thursday 1 May 2008 10:16

HOPES of reopening Edinburgh's south-suburban rail line have been revived after city leader Jenny Dawe insisted the project was not dead.

The Lib Dem leader said she was still "committed" to the South Sub, despite recommendations from council officials to rule out the project.

A recent report by consultants Halcrow concluded that a passenger route from Newcraighall through the south of the city to Edinburgh Park was the best option for the scheme – but would require a huge public subsidy.

The study also looked at the possibility of using trams on the track, which Halcrow claimed would provide most benefit through fewer car journeys, yet be the most costly option. So instead of trams or trains, the council's director of city development, Dave Anderson, wants to investigate providing new bus routes between the Morningside/Craiglockhart area and the Gyle.

Following the publication of the consultants' report, city transport leader Phil Wheeler said the business case for the South Sub was "just not strong enough".

However, Councillor Dawe said today: "It was hugely disappointing to see the presentation from Halcrow. People have since come forward to say that perhaps Halcrow didn't cover the right things.

"Whereas the consultants suggested this is a non-starter, we perhaps need to look more closely. I would be very pleased if we, as a council, could find a way to reopen the South Sub.

"This is not over by any means and I would imagine a good hearing (to supporters) will be given at next week's transport committee.

"There is still a very strong commitment, if at all possible, to have the South Sub as part of a modern, integrated public transport system in Edinburgh."

A decision on whether to back the plans, which have great public support, will be taken next week.

The Halcrow report claims existing expansion plans for services into Waverley and Haymarket, combined with growing passenger numbers, mean the South Sub scheme would have difficulty finding space for stops at both city centre stations.

Instead, it claims trains would attract 900,000 passengers a year on a route to Edinburgh Park, with eight stations, at a cost close to 40 million. Trams, using the South Sub route to Gorgie before joining the normal tram route to west Edinburgh, would attract 1.5 million passengers a year, but cost 50m to build.

A priority scheme for buses would cost 2.5m, but attract far fewer passengers and be poor value for money – leading to the recommendation that a bus link between just Morningside and Edinburgh Park would be better.

E-Rail, a private company formed to fight for the return of passenger trains, said it had raised up to 8m in contributions for the South Sub. General manager Andrew Robb said: "We found the report's conclusions surprising," he said. "The fight isn't over at all."