Edinburgh

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Since the closure of the Edinburgh tramway network in 1956 there have been a number of attempts to reinstate a tramway system and with the announcement by the then Scottish Executive in March 2003 of a GBP375 million investment in public transport improvements for Edinburgh, which would fund at least one, and possibly two, of the 3 proposed tram routes, the possibility of a modern tramway system in Edinburgh now looked better than it has for 50 years.

The tramway proposals are being taken forward by 'tie' (transport initiatives edinburgh) which is an arm's length Council-owned company. It was to deliver a number of major public transport schemes in and around Edinburgh in the next 10-15 years, including the tram network, the West Edinburgh Guided Busway and a heavy rail link to Edinburgh airport.

The lines proposed were:

• Line One: Northern Line
  • A North Edinburgh loop connecting the city with Leith, Newhaven and Granton and passing through the Waterfront development area.
• Line Two: Western Line
  • The Western Corridor from the city centre to the Gyle, Edinburgh Park, the Airport with a possible extension to Livingston and South Queensferry.
• Line Three: The South Edinburgh Corridor
  • This will run between the city centre and the South-East Wedge development area, including the new Royal Infirmary and possibly extending to Straiton and Penicuik.

  The actual project has been considerably revised due to a number of factors. Only one tramline will be built initially, from Newhaven via Leith and the city centre to the Gyle and terminating at the airport. Instead of a heavy rail link to the airport, interchange stations will be available at the Gogar depot for the Fife line, and Edinburgh Park for the Glasgow (Queen Street) lines (a new electric line is being built by extending the Bathgate line).

  The banner photo above shows the first vehicle for Edinburgh from CAF's factory at Irun in Euskal Herria (Basque country) in the new livery. It attracts about 1500 visitors per week.

  Further Links:

  • tie (transport initiatives edinburgh) www.tiedinburgh.co.uk
  • Trams for Edinburgh www.edinburghtrams.com
  • Scottish Government www.scotland.gov.uk
  • Edinburgh Council www.edinburgh.gov.uk
  • Transform Scotland www.transformscotland.org.uk
  • Waterfront Edinburgh Ltd. www.waterfront-ed.com
  • Summerlee Transport Group www.monklands.co.uk/stg
  • Worldwide Tram Portal International tram portal
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