‘Trams to Newhaven’ event held in Leith

A PUBLIC information day on the proposed tram line to Newhaven took place in Leith’s Ocean Terminal this weekend.

Visitors look at information banners and speak to members of the project's planning team.

Hundreds of visitors and shoppers stopped to look at the City of Edinburgh Council's plans for the tram line extension.

This was the fourth public information day, from noon to 5pm on Saturday 21, as part of their first round of consultation to allow the public the opportunity to see the plans.

It followed a decision by the council in September 2017 to approve the case for taking Edinburgh Trams to Newhaven and they will make their final decision in Autumn this year.

Members of the public look at detailed drawings of some of the plans.

Their 'Outline Business Case' highlighted that the social, economic and environmental case for taking the tram to Newhaven is strong.

The council’s ‘Trams to Newhaven’ online information explain that Edinburgh is Scotland’s fastest growing city.

It notes: “The additional trams will help accommodate the additional 102,000 people expected to live in Edinburgh by 2039. A quarter of this growth is forecast to occur in Leith Docks and Western Harbour area.”

The proposed new line will run for almost three miles and connect Leith and Newhaven to the current end of the Edinburgh tram line at York Place.

The Edinburgh trams have a capacity to hold 250 passengers and 27 of them operate along the current 8.5-mile tram track from York Place to the airport.

Visitors of the 'Trams to Newhaven' information day.

Cllr Lesley MacInnes of the Transport and Environment Committee invites everyone to leave feedback on the plans.

She said: “We want to hear feedback on all aspects of the plans, from how traffic might be managed and how we’d support local businesses during construction to what the road layout could look like along the route.

“We need to hear from as many people as possible to help us get this right, so make sure you have your say.”

Information banner from the event detailing some changes if the route is approved.

As part of the consultation they are also meeting with business groups, community councils and other local groups to gather everyone’s views.

One of the business information evenings takes place tomorrow, Wednesday 25, at the City Chambers, Business Centre, on the High Street from 6pm to 8pm. It will give local businesses the opportunity to review the plans and speak directly to members of the project team.

On the council website they state that: “This time around it is our aim to ensure, should the line be approved, that views and suggestions of those in the local community and wider city are incorporated into final plan.

“This means that your feedback could lead to changes to how we plan to build the line or to what the streetscape looks like once the work is completed.”

Views can be left online for the consideration of the City of Edinburgh Council until April 29 at: https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/sfc/tramstonewhaven/.

Image of banner indicating the 'Proposed Project Timeline'.

A second consultation will begin in Autumn 2018. If plans proceed its construction would begin in Spring 2019 and the line would become operational in Summer 2022. For further information visit: http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/tramstonewhaven/.

New stops in 'Phase 1' of the plans include: Picardy Place (replacing York Place), McDonald Road, Balfour Street, Foot of the Walk, The Shore, Port of Leith, Ocean Terminal and Newhaven.

Tramway Route. Source.

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