Extension of Edinburgh’s tramway to Newhaven has been backed in principle by the city council, but a final decision on the scheme will not be made until autumn next year.

 

The City of Edinburgh Council approved the outline business case for the £165M, 4.6km extension and a tendering process has now begun to find a contractor.

 

The 12 month pause will provide the council with further evidence of tram patronage and allow the project to consider lessons learned from an ongoing inquiry into delays and cost over runs of the city’s tram scheme, which opened in 2014.

 

Council leader Adam McVey said: “Given the rate of growth forecast for Edinburgh over the coming years, we simply cannot stand still. And yet we can’t proceed with work to take trams down to Newhaven unless we’re 100% certain we’ve rigorously scrutinised the business case and taken on board crucial lessons from the first phase.

 

”We will only make our final decision next autumn once the tendering process has completed and once we've consulted an independent assessor on the viability of the proposed construction contracts. We will also consider any lessons learned from Lord Hardie’s ongoing tram inquiry as we move forward.”

 

Transport Convener Lesley Macinnes added: “For the people of Leith, having a direct tram link to the city centre and other key employment and travel hubs would be hugely beneficial. That said, we are acutely aware of how challenging the construction period would be, which is why we’re developing a compensation scheme to help those who would be most affected.”

 

According to the outline business case for the tram extension Edinburgh and its surrounding area is expected to see the fastest growing population of anywhere in Scotland over the next decade.

 

The number of additional households in the area is expected to rise by over 38,000 of which a quarter are forecast to be sited around the Leith Docks and Western Harbour.

 

(Photo: Alastair Lloyd)