Edinburgh’s new tram route set to take over popular cycle path
A popular walking and cycle path is set to disappear to make way for Edinburgh’s next tram extension.
Officials are recommending the new north-south tram line from Granton to the Royal Infirmary, the Bioquarter and beyond should run along the former railway which is now the Roseburn cycle path. A walkway would be preserved alongside the tramline, but cyclists would have to take a different route.
An alternative tram route going via Crewe Road South and Orchard Brae was considered, but officials say it would face a major constraint because of having to cross the Dean Bridge on its way to link up with the existing tramline along Princes Street. And they say congestion would affect journey times.
The Roseburn path was the route originally intended when the line was first planned about 20 years ago as part of the city’s tram project. But since then the cycle path has become well established as a green active travel corridor and the Crewe Roadsouth/orchard brae route was floated as a way of serving the Western General Hospital and allowing the cycle path to survive.
However, officials have now gone back to the Roseburn option, with a slight diversion along Groathill Road and Telford Road to take it past the Western General. A report to the council’ s transport and environment committee says the Roseburn route will also allow trams to turn right at Haymarket, allowing a direct service from Granton to the airport. The committee will be asked on Thursday to approve plans for a 12-week consultation in the spring on the proposed tramline. The report says the preferred route for the new line is the rose burn path, then, from the city centre along the Bridges corridor to the Southside and onwards to the Bioquarter via Cameron Toll.
For the longer term, there are potential options to extend the line further to sheriff hall, shaw fair, queen margaret university and Newcraighall.
Transport convener Scott Arthur said the new line would connect Granton, Edinburgh College, Edinburgh University, Cameron Toll shopping centre, the royal infirmary and the bio quarter, linking the “massive development opportunities” in Granton and south-east Edinburgh. He said: “Personally, I think this is maybe the line we should have done first. connecting these massive destinations and development areas is where we should have gone first.”
Lib Dem group leader Kevin Lang spoke out against the Rose burn option. he said :“liberal Democrat councillors are open to extending the tram and recognise the benefits this could bring, particularly to north Edinburgh. However, this can not beat any cost. there is clearly along way togo before final decisions are taken. However, we will oppose any attempt to turnover the telford/ rose burn path forth et ram extension. we should be protecting our green spaces, not removing them.”
The council’ s current projectionsuggests the new line could be up and running by 2035, though the Roseburn section could be ready by 2031.