Trams to expand with F-Rail Loop

EDINBURGH'S tram project has put its recent troubles behind it and is now set to expand with a new line to the east of the city, The Scotsman can reveal.

The new line, originally called the Forth Rail Loop but shortened to the F-Rail Loop for a more modern image, will go to the new Queen Margaret University campus at Musselburgh and the new Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

The route will also take in Easter Road in a bid to placate Hibs fans angry that city opponents Hearts have their stadium on the line to the west of the city. Controversially, the trams that run on the new line will be painted green for the club's colours

The F-Rail Loop will split from the current line at the top of Leith Walk and head along London Road before turning down Easter Road towards the Hibernian football ground. This will allow thousands of fans to attend matches and boost revenue.

From there, it will travel to Leith Links, Seafield and along the promenade at Portobello to Musselburgh, before looping back to service the ERI.

It is understood the tram line may well result in the floodlit night-time race plan for Musselburgh racecourse being revived.

It is thought current roadworks at major roundabouts will have helped clear the way for the new line.

It has not yet been decided how the new loop will be paid for, but it is understood that in the current credit crunch, an old-fashioned public subscription method may be used. It is thought costs will be below 500 million.

The move comes after the city council, the developers TIE and main contractor Bilfinger Berger patched up acrimonious differences which led to work in Princes Street being delayed.

The developers, TIE, said the colour change on the new route was in acknowledgement of the council's mission statement to create an "all-inclusive colour-blind transport system".

However, The Scotsman has learned that the company has bowed to pressure from an EU grant-giving body which visited the city in January and complained that the current maroon bodywork on Edinburgh's transport fleet gave "undue and some would say undeserved prominence to Hearts Football Club".

Hibs fans have welcomed the move, saying all the roadworks will be worth it.

"For too long, we've had to suffer Hearts fans waving their scarves around above their heads and shouting 'C'mon the Jam Tarts' in a provocative manner. These green trams mean we will be able to hold our heads up high and travel to games with a sense of dignity," said Joe Kidding.

"Andy" a Hibs supporter wrote on his football blog: "this is fabby. it's time we went all European. not that I'm for segregated transport, like. we'll still let prams on."

A lifesize 130ft mock-up of the new green tram will be situated at the Easter Road ground serving pies and Irn-Bru.

However, the announcement about the F-Rail Loop has alarmed a number of retailers and consumer support groups who believed they had gained the upper hand in the city's "tram fiasco" after receiving a public apology from transport chiefs for the disruption they have already endured.

Miss Fi Fi McGee who runs "Tassles", an adult clothing emporium shop in Easter Road, said the disruption from the tram construction works would lose her customers.

"This is very bad news, like. I have another branch in Leith Walk and the workmen have their hut right outside my shop. This puts off my customers, especially the men."

MSP William Macdonald, a member of the city's transport consultative committee, described the German company's actions over Princes Street as "histrionics" and called for the F-Rail Loop contract to go to Scottish workers.

"I'm of the old school and spent five years in the Logistics Corps. The way they have acted is just pure histrionics. It is on a par with Dida flinging himself to the ground clutching his face as if his days were numbered in the Champions League between Celtic and Milan. He tried to hold us to ransom then but it didn't work.

"The F-Rail Loop is a chance to employ Scottish workers on a Scottish tram scheme for Scottish commuters to go to Scottish destinations."

Last night, a small group of Hearts protesters gathered outside the Tynecastle ground demanding their chairman take action against what they described as "the ultimate betrayal".

Waving placards which read "Maroon for the whole toon" the fans conducted live television and radio interviews to get their views across.

"We're just gutted. It's the ultimate in betrayal in a long saga which will kill the game."

Council spokesperson Avril Fish said: "Everyone's looking forward to trams. Everyone loves them. What's the odd hole in the road? People in the east of the city will finally get what the rest of us have got."