CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Tag: RPM

CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Tag: RPM - Recent Posts http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Tag: RPM - Recent Posts en Sat, 12 Sep 2026 16:29:58 +0000 neddie on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=77#post-385807 Fri, 11 Sep 2026 10:04:41 +0000 neddie 385807@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <blockquote>Most of Scotland's major trunk road structures are reaching the end of their design life of 60 years and need major upgrades or replacement - the Woodside viaducts are only the first of many. What do you reckon - will the Scottish Government choose to let the strategic road network fall into delapidation?</blockquote> Time to demolish the lot of it and return to simpler and happier times. Car-dependency is 20thC folly. Think of all the nice 21stC "public luxury" things we could have with the money instead. <blockquote>You have to be mindful of the political make-up of this council and what the art of the possible is’ - Cllr Stephen Jenkinson</blockquote> Translation: We can't communicate and agree with other parties to make things happen chdot on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=77#post-385806 Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:48:26 +0000 chdot 385806@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Ooh “ ‘You have to be mindful of the political make-up of this council and what the art of the possible is’ - Cllr Stephen Jenkinson “ <a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinburgh-north-south-tramline-councillors-agree-to-prioritise-southern-section-to-royal-infirmary-but-keep-northern-leg-to-granton-on-table-9012258" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinburgh-north-south-tramline-councillors-agree-to-prioritise-southern-section-to-royal-infirmary-but-keep-northern-leg-to-granton-on-table-9012258</a> See two posts above It’s possible interpretations/implications are different… (And that’s without considering ‘where’s the money coming from’) To me ‘bigger picture’ is always about bad decisions for the wrong reasons And ways of changing or working around some of it chdot on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=77#post-385805 Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:35:43 +0000 chdot 385805@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <a href="https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/14488/next-phase-of-tram-network-expansion-agreed?ref=edinburghminute.com" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/news/article/14488/next-phase-of-tram-network-expansion-agreed?ref=edinburghminute.com</a> chdot on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=77#post-385804 Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:35:30 +0000 chdot 385804@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ “have I finally lost the plot?” Unlikely as your rational/sensible/reliable contributions to CCE have always been valuable/valued On the other hand too much observation/involvement can lead to insanity… “Is there something I am not seeing?” Inevitably, but that doesn’t mean there is something there to be seen! Politics has often been regarded as ‘the <a href="https://politicaldictionary.com/words/art-of-the-possible/">art of the possible</a> but increasingly it might be just the preserve of artless low skilled wishful thinkers encouraged or restrained by officials Cynical moi? Additionally in the ‘modern world’ any ‘certainties’ or even ‘possibilities’ are harder to find/rely on Morningsider on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=77#post-385803 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 22:45:55 +0000 Morningsider 385803@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ There was no cash to build any of this yesterday, there is no more cash today, there will be no more cash tomorrow. The Scottish public finances are in a parlous state, transport capital expenditure is being eaten by the A9 dualling project, which won't finish until 2035 (or later). Most of Scotland's major trunk road structures are reaching the end of their design life of 60 years and need major upgrades or replacement - the Woodside viaducts are only the first of many. What do you reckon - will the Scottish Government choose to let the strategic road network fall into delapidation? This whole situation seems bizarre to me - people fervently arguing over the respective merits of what are effectivelty fantasy transport projects. Every effort should be being invested in delivering low-cost interventions to support walking, cycling, and buses - things that can be delivered quickly with a bit of political will. Don't get me wrong. I would love to see the tram network extended - but Council funded multi-billion pound urban transport projects are simply not where we are at the moment. Or is it just me - have I finally lost the plot? Is there something I am not seeing? chdot on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=77#post-385802 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 19:25:38 +0000 chdot 385802@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinburgh-north-south-tramline-councillors-agree-to-prioritise-southern-section-to-royal-infirmary-but-keep-northern-leg-to-granton-on-table-9012258" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinburgh-north-south-tramline-councillors-agree-to-prioritise-southern-section-to-royal-infirmary-but-keep-northern-leg-to-granton-on-table-9012258</a> wingpig on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=77#post-385801 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 17:19:37 +0000 wingpig 385801@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Also relating to the RailEngineer thing... <blockquote>"The challenge is no longer simply getting passengers onto a tram. It is ensuring they can easily reach the stop in the first place and complete their journey at the other end."</blockquote> Were there to ever be tram-trains on the south sub, whose street-to-platform paradigm would win out? Would platforms be as quick to access as most of the tram stops (not counting the airport, or Hermiston Gait) where they're quick to get to as they're on the streets where people are allowed to be, or would they all have to have that extra barrier/bottleneck/ramp/gate move from public space to Network Rail DON'T LOOK THE TRACKS IN THE EYE space? Greenroofer on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=77#post-385800 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:22:09 +0000 Greenroofer 385800@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I was in that Bergen in Norway in the summer, where they have a light rail system connecting to the airport (which is even further from its city centre than Edinburgh airport). Apparently it was funded by road tolls (causing much upset from those north of Bergen, who had to pay the tolls to drive into the city, but didn't get a light rail connection as a result). Also, the council then zoned areas close to the stations to favour development, driving economic growth into those areas. All quite admirable (but then my main impression of Norway was that it was extremely civilised) <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergen_Light_Rail">More here</a>. Oh and final fun fact from the article - the Norwegian power company had to pay to move power cables out of the way of the railway, and wasn't allowed to charge the costs to the rail project. (See, ThatIsNorway) bakky on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=77#post-385799 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 15:56:31 +0000 bakky 385799@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Vote seems to have gone well considering... (Spokes keeping a live Bluesky thread going) <blockquote> Conservatives oppose entirely Cllr Jenkinson accepts Green amendt & part of SNP Vote 7 Lab/Green/SNP 2 LibDem 2 Con So.. a. Support for entire route, priority South b. No more work till Autumn '27 after SEStransit report c. Strong Green amendt on (bike emoji) safety included </blockquote> chdot on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=77#post-385797 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 14:19:55 +0000 chdot 385797@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ “surprisingly Edinburgh-centric“ … “Doesn't change the fact that because ThisIsEdinburgh and not ThisIsFrenchTown, costs will be hugely higher for no good reason.” This may explain part of the problem in Ed - “understanding customer needs rather than selecting technology”… Though in Ed, not just the tech also the vanity of plush/heavy trams/track! “ The passenger For Rob Thomas, head of sales at Siemens Mobility Rail Infrastructure UK, futureproofing begins with understanding customer needs rather than selecting technology. “The technology isn’t the starting point,” he explained. “The starting point is the passenger experience and understanding what outcomes customers actually want.” While safety, reliability, and operational performance remain fundamental requirements, technology should be viewed as an enabler rather than an objective in itself. Journey planning applications, integrated ticketing systems, passenger information platforms, and future digital services can all sit on top of a robust operational core. The key, Thomas argues, is avoiding the temptation to specify known solutions too early. “We should be focusing on the outcomes we want to achieve rather than simply repeating what was done on previous projects.” “ <a href="https://www.railengineer.co.uk/building-tomorrows-tramway-today/" rel="nofollow">https://www.railengineer.co.uk/building-tomorrows-tramway-today/</a> (Same article as previous post) Arellcat on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=77#post-385796 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 12:59:36 +0000 Arellcat 385796@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Useful (and surprisingly Edinburgh-centric) article in RailEngineer: <a href="https://www.railengineer.co.uk/building-tomorrows-tramway-today/" rel="nofollow">https://www.railengineer.co.uk/building-tomorrows-tramway-today/</a> <blockquote>Beyond transport For James Hammett, managing director of UKTram, the current political and industry environment presents a significant opportunity. “There’s never been a better time to be talking about light rail,” he explained. “Government and regional leaders increasingly recognise that tramways aren’t simply transport systems. They’re tools for placemaking, economic growth, regeneration, and decarbonisation.” That shift in thinking is important. Historically, transport schemes have often been assessed primarily on passenger numbers or journey time savings. Increasingly, however, authorities are taking a broader view, considering how fixed transport infrastructure can stimulate investment, improve connectivity, and transform entire urban areas. A tram network, Hammett argues, should be viewed as part of a city’s long-term development strategy rather than as a standalone transport intervention. Affordability A recurring challenge facing light rail remains cost. Questions around affordability continue to dominate transport discussions, with comparisons frequently made between UK schemes and those delivered elsewhere in Europe. However, Hammett believes those comparisons can sometimes be misleading. “What often gets included in tramway costs isn’t necessarily the tramway itself,” he explained. Major schemes frequently include extensive public realm improvements, utility diversions, streetscape enhancements, and wider regeneration work. These elements are often accounted for within the overall project budget, making direct comparisons difficult. In some cases, the infrastructure supporting urban regeneration can represent a substantial proportion of total project expenditure. This reinforces the need to evaluate schemes holistically, considering the regeneration and economic benefits they deliver rather than focusing solely on the transport infrastructure.</blockquote> Doesn't change the fact that because ThisIsEdinburgh and not ThisIsFrenchTown, costs will be hugely higher for no good reason. Tulyar on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=77#post-385777 Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:30:17 +0000 Tulyar 385777@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ This was a note relating to the Herald piece, & covers a galamaufry of issues so I'll drop my notes here first & then add further comments, based on a career that saw me rebuilding a railway station age 16 as a volunteer, whilst my future boss (John Grimshaw) was building a new railway line, including the ONLY railway spiral in the UK to gain height, with boys from Westminster School, blowing up rock to create the railway route ... in 1968 With some great help from @arellcat dipping in to the RGS records & more we've also tracked the folly of the delivery of the first attempt at the tram tracks from Haymarket to York Place, which had to be rebuilt before it opened, with the delivery of the new electric railway between Edinburgh & Glasgow getting 16 miles of new track completed faster than the 7 miles of tram track to the airport! "I've worked on delivery of cycle routes, & building new rail lines in a varied carer that started in 1964 During 1990's I was also working with the Panel for Historical Engineering Works who did a detailed study of Dean Bridge with further work connected to the unbuilt 1890's project to build 2 rail lines under Princes Street. Using the system proven in 1963 to build Oxford Circus Station whilst traffic continued to flow over the top on Oxford Street & Regent Street Dean Bridge already carries trucks & buses with 9-10 Ton axle loads (trams have 8-9 Ton axle loads which are spread evenly through the rails (unlike tyre loads which are point loads on the flexible tarmac pavement. Below the road surface on Dean Bridge are evenly spaced masonry ribs that fit over the stone arch rings, and the tram track rails should be placed to transfer the loads properly to Telford's well designed structure in an elegant light solution much as his Tay Bridge in Perth uses holes through the arch spandrels The trams should use a single laced track across the bridge alternately, which is easily delivered with a regulated & guided system On the South end, where the rock bed rises from the Water of Leith Gorge the tram route should dive under Queensferry Street to connect with the tunnel under Princes Street & Shandwick Place with extra track(s) to enable tram services to be regulated or turned back to suit the timetables This underground chamber can have a planned spur going South along the middle of Lothian Road, the traditional place for trams for over a century DM for developing this as a wider piece with outline plans & profiles Looking at the broken up concrete of the track slabs running from Haymarket to Waverley Bridge you can record the failed load transfer joints & patched up repairs, with lumps of the upper slab sunken or sticking up to bring down a cyclist, or the street ironwork (valve covers etc) sinking & falling away from the tarmac flexible pavement everywhere I walked the route with Broughton Spurtle a few years ago and recorded the state of the track Essentially to build the Tram track some 200 years of compaction of the supporting ground was destroyed as the sub grade was excavated to expose the weak & wet soils (glacial till lying over fractured (& saturated) shale for much of this distance Manchester's tram route extensions had clear ground stability testing & allowances for remediation built in to the project with bearing strength & vane tests (soil cohesion) before the concrete was laid Obviously much more to debate & discuss for a stage-gate plan for future tram projects Remember also that running trams on heavy rail track can trip up over the steel tyre profiles of trams being very different to those on trains, and modified track (points & crossings) is required if they are sharing the same rails Happy to discuss but be aware that I'm seriously resource poor & need some IT & admin support to keep up with PM's etc wingpig on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=77#post-385764 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:52:59 +0000 wingpig 385764@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Would there be any issues with there being rooms and vaults and things (or nothing, where it crosses the Cowgate) underneath the bridge? Is there enough depth for enough concrete beneath the rails, and enough space for any pipes and stuff at the side, if they have to be moved (if not moved twice, as on Leith Walk)? Apart from the underground car park at Tollcross and the railway tunnels around the WAR junction, is there anything much beneath Lothian Road/Earl Grey St which would object to being trammed over? chdot on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=77#post-385762 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 11:28:36 +0000 chdot 385762@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ “so might be wrong“ Unlikely - at least by a factor that would make much difference So, main issue seems to be ‘old thing, don’t mess with it’ Might be a good idea to ban current traffic ‘just in case’ Then add some lightweight track and batteries to remove need for overhead structures Arellcat on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=76#post-385760 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:07:29 +0000 Arellcat 385760@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I still don’t understand why “tram loading” - to some extent spread by the track - is worse than a convoy of buses/HGVs Good question. One CAF Urbos 3 tram weighs 56 tonnes empty. Assuming a 50% loading factor, for 125 industry standard passengers who weigh 75kg each, we get a total weight of 66 tonnes. This is spread across 12 axles, so the axle load is 5.5 tonnes. Alternatively, we can carry 125 passengers using one 20-tonne Volvo Enviro400XLB (the one with three axles that carries 100 pax) and one 18-tonne Volvo Enviro400 (two axles, 85 pax). If each bus is carrying half of the passengers then the total weight on the bridge is 48 tonnes. This is spread across 5 axles, for an average axle load of 9.6 tonnes. In terms of an idealised uniform weight distribution on the bridge, the tram weight is carried over about 40 metres of carriageway (thus, 1.6 tonnes/metre), whereas the two buses in a traffic jam are carried over about 26 metres (1.8 tonnes/metre). If the tram was at maximum capacity (75 tonnes, 250 passengers) you would need three (84 tonnes) of the Enviro400XLB buses, which in a traffic jam would take up almost exactly the same length of road as the tram. The axle loadings for tram and bus would become 6.2 tonnes/axle and 9.3 tonnes/axle respectively, and the distributed weights 1.7 tonnes/metre and 2.0 tonnes/metre respectively. The elephant in the room would be the addition of rails and OHLE. South Bridge is 350 metres long between the High Street and South College Street. Tram rails alone are about 58kg/metre, and you need double track, so call it 81 tonnes of rails. Overhead line equipment is mainly poles and foundations, and works out at about 100kg/metre/track, so altogether weighs about 75 tonnes. But you need to mount those rails on a substructure, which is probably going to be made of reinforced concrete. 350 metres at about 7 metres wide and say 30cm deep is going to weigh nearly 1800 tonnes, and that is a lot even compared with the current loading from cars, buses and trucks. You'd need to have 40 44-tonne artics to deliver that sort of load. Does South Bridge even have an existing weight limit for goods vehicles? But, you are digging up tarmac and replacing it with a tram track. Tarmac (as the surface, plus the binder course plus the granular base) is about 2.4 tonnes per cubic metre. If you remove 350 metres worth over the width of a double tram track, the equivalent amount of material removed is about 1600 tonnes. So what we have is a net increase in weight of about 350-400 tonnes in terms of infrastructure to run trams instead of buses, but a net decrease in vehicle weight of about 10 tonnes for every 250 people carried in each direction. There are probably further decreases in weight because trams would likely displace parked vehicles to some extent too. (Back of the envelope stuff here, so might be wrong) chdot on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=76#post-385759 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 08:38:28 +0000 chdot 385759@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ “ “However, we do not support the use of South Bridge as part of the tram corridor due to its impact on the Outstanding Universal Value (the characteristics, receptors and qualities underpinning Edinburgh’s inscription as a World Heritage Site) and impact on this key heritage asset. “ So current traffic is acceptable/normal?? “ “We note the engineering consultant’s comments that the current structure may not be suitable to carry tram loading without unspecified additional works and strengthening, which, if possible, would be a complex and expensive process. “ “ I still don’t understand why “tram loading” - to some extent spread by the track - is worse than a convoy of buses/HGVs <a href="https://archive.ph/2026.09.08-062754/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26527304.edinburgh-world-heritage-citys-bridges-corridor-trams-plan/?ref=edinburghminute.com" rel="nofollow">https://archive.ph/2026.09.08-062754/https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26527304.edinburgh-world-heritage-citys-bridges-corridor-trams-plan/?ref=edinburghminute.com</a> chdot on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=76#post-385716 Wed, 02 Sep 2026 22:21:45 +0000 chdot 385716@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ “Honestly I'm starting to wonder if CEC can't decide“ Well yes Of course “CEC” is a myth/conceit In a sense it’s “the Councillors” Increasingly it’s obvious that that’s not really working - too many decisions to be made Too many conflicting things to factor in - ‘the public’, ‘officials’ - who may have different opinions/agendas/priorities They also collectively (and often individually) have more longevity that politicians (both remaining as Cllrs and also on particular committees- especially as Chairs) Then there are (ever) reducing resources, increasing expectations and also requirements of dealing with legislation/guidelines - from Holyrood, Westminster and beyond All impossible really - especially in the context of being too scared/unwilling to implement laws/policies about (for instance) reducing vehicle use and encouraging ‘active travel’ In Edinburgh the ‘carrot before stick’ arguments have been won So trams (etc) will only be ‘allowed’ in the hope that traffic reduction happens later Sound arguments for better public transport are only valid where a bigger picture is politically ‘possible’ Arellcat on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=76#post-385710 Wed, 02 Sep 2026 18:48:43 +0000 Arellcat 385710@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Honestly I'm starting to wonder if CEC can't decide whether it wants a tram route that delivers higher speeds between few stops, or lower speeds between many stops. Is the function of Trams in Edinburgh to be actual mass rapid transit, for which former railway routes ought to be tailor made, or just an incredibly expensive, electric alternative to buses, for which the road (or under the road) ought to be the place? If I were a regular user of the NEPN I would probably want the trams on the roads instead, unless there was a cast iron guarantee* that equivalent on-road cycle lanes would be built if the trams were to use the former railway routes. But they have to be high quality cycle lanes, and to a very large extent Edinburgh can't build those either even while other cities are cracking right on. * which would become more of a target, subsequently downgraded to an aspiration, subsequently postponed owing to budget cuts and, y'know, the price of materials is awfully expensive these days and we mustn't take away too much parking for fear that the city will go bankrupt because all the businesses will go out of business and stop paying rates, and after all, you've got to build bypasses, etc. Murun Buchstansangur on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=76#post-385709 Wed, 02 Sep 2026 18:45:04 +0000 Murun Buchstansangur 385709@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Well said, neddie. "...or are you one of that ilk?" Ye gods. Wind your neck in. neddie on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=76#post-385708 Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:54:39 +0000 neddie 385708@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ I'm afraid the council cannot be trusted not to destroy cycle paths or modal filters. Neither can we trust them to provide timely, appropriate, alternatives during construction. - 2014 George St segregated lanes...gone - 2020 George IV Br segregated lanes...gone - Silverknowes bus/cycle only roadway...gone - Braid Estate modal filters...gone - North Bridge chance to put in segregated lanes...gone There's no guarantee, when the tram comes to be constructed, it'll be single-track with cycle path. They'll probably claim "operational reasons" at the last minute, and double-track it. And even if made single-track, the path will be badly compromised, and there *will always be* the looming threat of double-tracking at some time in the future. You only need to look at the provision for cyclists they propose on North Bridge to see the contempt and neglect they have towards cyclists - there will be no provision, and cyclists are instead expected to make a mile long, hilly, inconvenient diversion around 3 sides of a square, up the Mound !!! They cannot be trusted! Spokes are absolutely wrong to sit on the fence on this matter - it is their ONE JOB to protect existing cycle lanes You mark my words - if they come for the Roseburn path, they'll be coming for the Ferry Rd path, the Trinity path and the entire rest of the NEPN next! Yodhrin on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=76#post-385706 Wed, 02 Sep 2026 17:35:02 +0000 Yodhrin 385706@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ @stiltskin "destroy the cycle path" - were you taken in by the deranged "Save The Roseburn Path" lies, or are you one of that ilk? That little stunt frighting a bunch of children into producing propaganda for the campaign certainly helped you "defeat" the only practical option for the tram so congratulations are in order for that I suppose. The cycle path was never going to be "destroyed" - it's telling that Spokes took no stance either way - and all you've "won" is ensuring that one of the most deprived and fastest growing parts of the city won't get the mass transit it needs. chdot on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=76#post-385700 Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:24:23 +0000 chdot 385700@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ From Edinburgh Minute <a href="https://www.edinburghminute.com/the-edinburgh-minute-2-september-2026/" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghminute.com/the-edinburgh-minute-2-september-2026/</a> “ The new report, by Gareth Barwell, the council's Corporate Director of Place, says the 'priority' is currently not the £2.5 billion line to Granton: "One of the shortlisted options in the Strategic Business Case settled on an alignment for a southern section of route (between city centre to BioQuarter / Royal Infirmary) and that this section can complement the South Suburban Railway feasibility work currently being advanced by Transport Scotland and Network Rail." The plan will be voted on by councillors on the Transport and Environment Committee next Thursday, 10 September, which you can find the <a href="https://www.edinburghminute.com/r/03952884?m=c15a3a0d-e507-4bde-ab71-4fad92d4699f">agenda of here</a>. On last year's consultation results, the report says (on page 10/19): "Many in the consultation were also very concerned about using the Roseburn Path as a tram route between Granton and the city centre, and many also raised concerns about the alternative candidate route option via Orchard Brae, raising issues about impacts on traffic and buses, on the historic Dean Bridge, and the environmental impacts on the area around and under the bridge. The consultation, though not the market research, has shown there are public acceptability issues with both alternative routes considered between Granton and the city centre. This suggests further work is needed on this section, as the Strategic Business Case is clear there is a case for a direct tram connection between Granton and the city centre." The report also outlines the estimated costs associated with each option: “ chdot on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=76#post-385693 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 19:27:33 +0000 chdot 385693@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ “ ‘I am absolutely convinced we need a grand and bold vision’ - Cllr Stephen Jenkinson Work on building Edinburgh's new £2.5bn North-South tramline could begin in four years' time, with officials recommending the southern leg is built first. Transport convener Stephen Jenkinson estimated that, with a "fair wind" and financing in place, "spades in the ground" for the project could happen by the end of the decade in 2030. “ <a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinburgh-new-north-south-tramline-officials-recommend-prioritising-southern-section-saying-granton-route-needs-more-work-8952593" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinburgh-new-north-south-tramline-officials-recommend-prioritising-southern-section-saying-granton-route-needs-more-work-8952593</a> stiltskin on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=76#post-385692 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 13:57:25 +0000 stiltskin 385692@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <blockquote>The council's transport convener, councillor Stephen Jenkinson, said the Roseburn Path option remained the local authority's "preferred route". He said the local authority has exhausted all other possibilities beyond the two suggested. "It's not off the table and I would like it to be delivered," he said. "My preference is the Roseburn Path route</blockquote> No **** Sherlock. He'd made his mind up on day 1 that he wanted to destroy the cycle path for this plan, and came up with any argument he could think of to push it forward, not forgetting trying to stifle debate & opposition if at all possible (see the noticebaord at Ravelston Dykes). It makes me very happy that we have defeated him. chdot on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=76#post-385691 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:01:16 +0000 chdot 385691@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Don’t know if there is anything’new’ here <a href="https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26510475.edinburgh-councillors-asked-prioritise-southern-trams-spur/" rel="nofollow">https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/26510475.edinburgh-councillors-asked-prioritise-southern-trams-spur/</a> chdot on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=76#post-385562 Mon, 24 Aug 2026 08:40:59 +0000 chdot 385562@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ “ The northern section of Edinburgh's proposed new North-South tramline looks likely to be shelved due to disagreements over the route. Councillors are due to vote next month on whether to take forward the Capital's latest tram project, costed at between £2 billion and £2.9 billion for the full line from Granton to the Royal Infirmary and the BioQuarter. “ <a href="https://archive.ph/2026.08.24-052705/https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinburghs-north-south-tramline-northern-section-likely-to-be-shelved-amid-controversy-over-roseburn-path-plans-8933704" rel="nofollow">https://archive.ph/2026.08.24-052705/https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinburghs-north-south-tramline-northern-section-likely-to-be-shelved-amid-controversy-over-roseburn-path-plans-8933704</a> LaidBack on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=76#post-385406 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 19:56:47 +0000 LaidBack 385406@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Was musing on Bluesky how Edinburgh Airport with 15 million passengers per annum has a few bus options at its front door. (They pay the airport apparently to get through the security barriers) LRT into city and Ember, 747, Citylink and others going to towns and cities elsewhere. Changing to tram and other modes pretty poor at Waverley really (23 million passengers per annum). Haymarket easier but tram platform far too small for demand of buses and trams - particularly at moment. chdot on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=76#post-385399 Tue, 11 Aug 2026 14:40:51 +0000 chdot 385399@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ “ Frustrated passengers who normally rely on the tram to get around now face waiting for Princes Street to be reopened, which the council is aiming to do by August 26. “ <a href="https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/princes-street-fire-hopes-of-temporary-service-between-city-centre-and-newhaven-are-dashed-8875625" rel="nofollow">https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/princes-street-fire-hopes-of-temporary-service-between-city-centre-and-newhaven-are-dashed-8875625</a> Morningsider on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=76#post-385207 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 18:42:27 +0000 Morningsider 385207@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Ah, yes - the famous "Schrodinger's tram". Simultaneously a loss making white elephant, yet also so essential to transport in the city that the partial suspension of services poses an existential threat to the viability of Leith businesses and the city's tourist economy. Arellcat on "Tram latest" http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=8710&page=76#post-385205 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 17:31:44 +0000 Arellcat 385205@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ Most public transport operators, train operators especially, don't pass on their full operating costs to travellers, and the notion that they 'must' return a profit is perverse. Publicly funded public transport exists to provide a service to the public.