Edinburgh’s North-south Tram Extension, Public Consultation Open On New Routes, Benefits, Costs And Future Connectivity Plans

Published on August 31, 2025

The City of Edinburgh is already progressively concerned pinch extending nan tram web from Granton successful nan northbound to BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary successful nan south. This displacement successful proscription infrastructure is triggered by nan increasing organization of nan city. Residents tin entree nan consultations from nan 25th of August 2025 and person 12 weeks to supply feedback connected nan plans which will beryllium further evaluated successful nan shape of a Strategic Business Case (SBC). This is expected to beryllium brought earlier nan Transport and Environment Committee successful 2026 wherever further decisions will beryllium made alongside backing provisions.

Proposed Route and Key Sections

The projected tram way is divided into 2 main sections, each requiring input from nan public. The first conception will link Granton to nan metropolis centre, pinch imaginable variations aft Ferry Road/Crewe Toll. Two replacement routes are nether consideration:

Orchard Brae Route: This way would recreation done nan westbound extremity of Princes Street, on Orchard Brae, and proceed via Queensferry Road to nan metropolis centre. Estimated to costs betwixt £650 cardinal and £850 million, it is projected to transportation 3.75 cardinal passengers annually by 2042.

Roseburn Path Route: The replacement action would travel an aged railway line, passing done Ferry Road/Crewe Toll, Craigleith, and reaching nan metropolis centre. This way is expected to costs betwixt £350 cardinal and £480 million, pinch an estimated 4.25 cardinal passengers annually by 2042.

The Roseburn Path action has raised immoderate concerns owed to its fame arsenic a rhythm way and greenish corridor. To reside these concerns, location will beryllium a attraction connected balancing nan caller tramline pinch nan needs of pedestrians, cyclists, and nan section ecology, ensuring that nan situation remains protected and enhanced.

City Centre to BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary

The 2nd conception of nan projected tram hold will nexus nan metropolis centre to nan BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary. Starting from Princes Street, nan tram will link to nan existing line, providing seamless interchange opportunities for passengers. The way will transverse North Bridge, continuing done Nicholson Street, Newington, and Cameron Toll earlier heading to nan BioQuarter and nan Royal Infirmary. This hold intends to amended connectivity for those accessing healthcare facilities, universities, and adjacent lodging developments.

Future Mass Transit Connections

The consultation besides explores imaginable extensions beyond nan BioQuarter to different areas successful Midlothian and East Lothian. The imagination includes a imaginable tram-train work on nan aged Edinburgh South Suburban Railway, pinch early links to Musselburgh Railway Station and Queen Margaret University, enhancing connectivity for residents and travelers successful these areas.

This forward-thinking attack will thief merge nan surrounding regions into Edinburgh’s expanding carrier network, improving recreation options for a increasing organization and ensuring much sustainable, businesslike carrier choices for nan future.

Costs and Benefits of nan Project

The afloat costs of nan extension, from Granton to nan BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary, is projected to beryllium betwixt £2 cardinal and £2.9 billion, depending connected nan selected route. The tram hold is expected to transportation astir 38 cardinal passengers annually by 2042. Beyond easing congestion, nan hold promises a big of different benefits, including reduced emissions, improved aerial quality, and enhanced opportunities for progressive travel.

Edinburgh’s tram web has already been praised for its ratio and sustainability, and nan caller hold intends to further this estimation by connecting cardinal areas of nan metropolis pinch a reliable and eco-friendly carrier solution.

Council’s Vision for nan Future

The city’s carrier improvement plans are important to managing nan expanding request from Edinburgh’s expanding population, which is projected to turn by complete 60,000 residents successful nan adjacent 20 years. The tram hold is seen arsenic a captious portion of tackling this growth, addressing issues specified arsenic congestion, pollution, and nan unit connected nationalist carrier services. By encouraging sustainable recreation and improving connectivity betwixt cardinal locations specified arsenic nan BioQuarter, Royal Infirmary, and nan bustling metropolis centre, nan tram hold is integral to Edinburgh’s early success.

Conclusion: Shaping Edinburgh’s Future Transport

The tram hold consultation presents an basal opportunity for nan nationalist to participate successful shaping nan improvement of Edinburgh’s carrier web successful gait pinch nan increasing population. The projected hold is expected to heighten accessibility, little c emissions, and connection a modern solution to municipality mobility challenges successful nan city. The task seeks to link nan northbound and southbound of Edinburgh, frankincense shaping a much sustainable and better-connected early for nan metropolis and reinforcing its position arsenic 1 of Europe’s astir vibrant capitals.