Edinburgh north-south tram line plans trigger mammoth 11,425 responses as consultation closes
Council chief rejects call for scheme to be shelved
A huge public response has been triggered by plans for a new north-south tram line in Edinburgh.
A consultation into the proposal, which would link the Western General Hospital and the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and BioQuarter, prompted 11,425 responses, Edinburgh City Council revealed on Wednesday.
The local authority said some 1,500 people had attended consultation sessions across the city during the 12-week exercise, which ended on Monday. More than 20 organisations had also submitted their views.
The route options include a controversial option to run trams along the Roseburn Path, a former railway line that has been used by walkers and cyclists for decades and which campaigners have championed as a “green corridor”.
However, supporters of that option argue it would be cheaper, less disruptive and cut tram journey times than the alternative route via Orchard Brae and Queensferry Road, while still offering a narrowed route for walking and cycling.
The tram route forms part of the Scottish Government’s Strategic Transport Projects Review 2 blueprint, but it has not been awarded funding. A line opened between Edinburgh Airport and York Place in the city centre in 2014 and was extended to Newhaven in 2023.
The proposed new route would run south from Granton then along part of the existing line, either from Roseburn or the west end of Princes Street, before heading south along North Bridge and South Bridge. Possible extensions from the BioQuarter would reach Newcraighall and Shawfair.
Stephen Jenkinson, the council’s transport and environment convener, said the consultation responses would be “carefully considered” and a business case for the scheme would be examined by a council committee next year. However, it rejected calls for it to be shelved.
Mr Jenkinson said: “With the consultation now closed, I’m grateful to the thousands of people who have given their views on our plans to expand our tram network. We’ve also seen hundreds of people attend in-person drop in events across the city.
“Elected members gave a clear instruction in February 2024 that any future consultation should consider the pros and cons of both the Roseburn Path and Orchard Brae routes, and this has been achieved.
“Whilst there are undoubtedly specific challenges, advantages and disadvantages on both routes, we’ll now carefully consider the consultation responses as part of the wider business case that will come back to the transport and environment committee next year.
“Our overarching vision is to effectively link Edinburgh for the benefit of all. From our flagship £1.3 billion 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 networks must continue to develop to keep up with a growing city and region.
“Edinburgh is facing major challenges in the face of significant population growth, alongside the housing, nature, and climate emergencies. We will not stand by and do nothing as some seem to be suggesting.
“The tram is a potentially transformational development for our whole city and we owe it to future generations to be bold and ambitious.”
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