In January 2024 we published plans to consult on a new tram line which will connect Granton to the City Centre and on to the Bioquarter (the Royal Infirmary).  This would help cut congestion, reduce emissions and boost the city-region economy. Once opened, the line will carry around 1 million passengers per month.

This investment would connect  Granton, a massive new net zero development, to Edinburgh College, the Western General, Haymarket, the City Centre, Edinburgh University, Cameron Toll, the Bioquarter and on to Mid/East Lothian. If the Roseburn route is used, it will also give West Lothian residents an easy connection to the Western General and the Royal Infirmary.

Officers have invested a great deal of time and energy analysing and modelling the potential routes and the preferred option is built on evidence-based evaluation. Indeed, it is important to note that the case for the Roseburn route is strong because, when compared to the alternatives, it comes with a

1. Lower price tag;
2. Lower carbon requirement;
3. Lesser impact on businesses and residents;
4. Shorter construction time;
5. Shorter journey times and better reliability; and,
6. Lower operating costs.

To make this happen, however, the Council were originally proposing to move the existing cycling provision from a section of Roseburn Path to a safer (24/7) alternative before the work even starts. Moving the cycling provision would also help create a safer pedestrian environment. I’ve had no problem with people questioning this approach, so I have agreed with other political parties (Labour, plus the Greens & SNP) that we should double-check whether or not cycling provision can be retained on the Roseburn Path. This is what we agreed:

1. The potential to install a high-quality walking and cycling route alongside the tram line on the Roseburn Path should be fully considered.
2. Market research should be undertaken to understand what a demographically representative sample of Edinburgh feels about the plans.
3. The potential to protect and enhance the local ecological network as part of either tram route considered.
4. The consultation should present objectively the pros and cons of both the Roseburn and Orchard Brae Routes. (The Lib-Dems did not support points 1-3, but Labour, Greens, SNP & Lib-Dems all agreed both routes should go to consultation on an equal basis).

People opposing the Roseburn route must also be clear about the fact that the alternative is down Orchard Brae. As well as being more expensive, it may also come with these challenges:

1. Long-term disruption to the thousands of people who live locally.
2. Avoidable negative construction impacts on Queensferry Road businesses (including significant utility diversion works)
3. Difficulties installing cycling provision on Crewe Road South/ Queensferry Road / Orchard Brae.
4. Loss of protected trees.
5. No direct tram from Granton/Western General to west Edinburgh or Haymarket (a growing employment hub).
6. Impacts on bus network and displacement of traffic. 

Current Predicted Annual Patronage of the whole N-S Tram line is as follows:

1. Roseburn via Telford Road Route = 13.5 million trips
2. Orchard Brae / Queensferry Road Route / Dean Bridge = 13.0 million trips

There is less mid-corridor demand on Roseburn but the route better serves the west of the city centre (Haymarket and West End) and would give West Edinburgh a direct connection to the Western General (still not fully quantified).

Right now, it feels like suggesting Orchard Brae as a preferred candidate before the consultation even starts would be failing to learn the lessons from impacts to businesses and local communities we have seen as part of both the CCWEL and Tram projects – residents will not forgive us for this.  This is why it is important that we present both routes on an equal basis.

We also have to think about funding. If all goes well, the Scottish Government will fund the project. To do that we will need a strong cost-benefit ratio. Adding to costs whilst eroding the benefits will not help. 

I am continually being told that Edinburgh must be bolder and act faster in the face of the climate emergency. This tramline is a chance to show Edinburgh is serious. Waiting for climate solutions which come with no compromise is not an option.