Help Shape Edinburgh’s Tram Future

POSTED ON August 25, 2025 BY James Garry

A city growing fast needs thoughtful, people-focused transport planning

Edinburgh has launched a major public consultation on its proposed tram expansion, running from 25 August to 17 November 2025. The Cockburn Association encourages residents to share their views to ensure this project balances modern transport needs with preserving Edinburgh’s unique character and environmental priorities.

What’s Being Consulted On?

The City of Edinburgh Council is seeking feedback on a tram network extension from Granton in the north to the BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary in the south. This consultation will inform a Strategic Business Case (SBC), set to return to the Transport and Environment Committee in 2026. (Council consultation announcement)

Proposed Routes

  • Granton to City Centre:

Orchard Brae corridor – Estimated at £650 million to £850 million, serving up to 3.75 million passengers annually by  2042.

Roseburn Path – A more cost-effective option (£350 million to £480 million), projected to carry 4.25 million pasasengers a year by 2042.

  • City Centre to BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary: Using existing infrastructure via Princes Street, Nicolson Street, Newington, Cameron Toll, and onward to the BioQuarter.
  • Overall expansion: Estimated cost of £2 billion to £2.9 billion, with potential to carry 38 million passengers annually by 2042.
  • Regional extensions: Exploratory plans include tram-train links (hybrid tram and rail systems) to Midlothian and East Lothian using former railway corridors.

Why It Matters

With Edinburgh expecting 60,000 new residents over the next 20 years, a robust mass-transit system is vital to ease congestion, support housing growth, and tackle climate and environmental challenges. The Newhaven tram extension, opened in 2023, already carries over 1 million passengers monthly, showing the potential for further expansion.

How You Can Take Part

Explore the plans and share your feedback via the City of Edinburgh Council’s Consultation Hub (available from 25 August 2025):
👉 Consultation Hub

What do you think about the proposed routes? Are there other areas of Edinburgh that need better transport links? Your voice can help shape the city’s future.

 

Sources and Further Reading

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