The question of where Edinburgh’s next tram line should be has been a hot (and controversial) topic for several years now. We know that the line will run from Granton in the north of the city to the city centre, then up the North Bridge / South Bridge corridor towards the Royal Infirmary and beyond. But exactly where the Granton section of the line will go is still undecided, and has been a major source of debate.
There are two options: Roseburn Path or Orchard Brae. And later this month, City of Edinburgh council is launching a public consultation to help it decide once and for all.
Roseburn Path is a former railway line that’s now surrounded by woodland and greenery and beloved among locals. If the tramline is built there, a footpath would be created alongside the tram track and a separate cycling path would be provided nearby. This was named the council’s ‘preferred route’ in February last year, but campaign group Save the Roseburn Path was set up in response and more than 1,000 people signed a petition opposing the plan.
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An on-road route via Orchard Brae, first proposed in 2022, is the alternative. This would apparently provide better connections for Western General Hospital and for the retail park at Craigleith. The problem is that trams would have to cross over the nearly 200-year-old Dean Bridge, which would be a major engineering challenge.
Local leaders say that Roseburn is the best option as it would offer better journey times and reliability, will mean quicker construction and less impact on businesses and residents, and avoid problems with underground utility pipes and cables. Campaigners argue that the Orchard Brae option is better as it would serve a larger catchment area and be better for social inclusion.
The consultation opens August 25 and will run for 12 weeks until November 17. The results will then be presented to the Transport and Environment Committee in 2026. Stephen Jenkinson, the transport and environment convener at the City of Edinburgh council, said: ‘I’m pleased to have reached such an important stage in the project – and I look forward to hearing the public’s views on our plans when the consultation opens later this month.
‘Extending our hugely popular and multi award-winning tram service to the north and south of the city – and potentially beyond – would bring huge social, economic and environmental benefits, while helping us to face the challenges of the future.’
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