Tram, Granton to Bioquarter

The 12-week consultation on the new tramline has begun, ending 17 November. This article is intended purely to summarise facts hoped to be relevant to our members from the hugely extensive consultation materials.

Useful links

• Main consultation page, with response form and email address for other comments/ queries
• Council website north-south tram page, linking to all documents
• Granton to City Centre – detailed commentary and further links
• City Centre to Bioquarter/NRIE – detailed commentary and further links
• Bioquarter to Midlothian (Shawfair) & East Lothian (QMU, Musselburgh) – detailed commentary and further links
• Project stages – note that there will be a further major consulation in 2026 or 2027 based on this consultation outcome and extensive continuing research into all aspects
• Research documents in reaching the present stage
• SPOKES BACKGROUND
• Spokes June 2024 public meeting: see blog 8.6.24
• Spokes position in 2024: see blog 21.5.24
• Spokes tram pages: go to documents : public transport : tram

Consultation & Drop-In sessions

The methods of consultation are outlined here.

For project updates, email futuretrams@edinburgh.gov.uk with your email address and stating that you give them permission to email you with updates.

The drop-in sessions are…

• Blackhall Primary School 2 September 2025 at 4pm to 7pm
• Craigmillar Library 8 September 2025 at 4pm to 7pm
• Southside Community Centre 10 September 2025 at 4pm to 7pm
• Granton Station 15 September 2025 at 4pm to 7pm
• Cameron Toll Shopping Centre 16 September 2025 at 4pm to 7pm
• North Edinburgh Arts 29 September 2025 at 4pm to 7pm
• Waverley Court 1 October 2025 at 4pm to 7pm

Granton to City Centre

Option for tram via Roseburn path

• Walk/cycle path between 3m and 4.2m wide, except 2.1m width for 24m distance at Telford Bridge, and 2m width south of the Roseburn Terrace bridge. But see also these clarifications from tram team re path width and links south of Roseburn Terrace bridge
• Tram single-track Roseburn-Craigleith, to allow space for the wide path and reduce ecology impact
• Battery operation Roseburn-Craigleith, to avoid overhead wires and reduce ecology impact
• Trees removed up to 3m from tramline. New green spaces, 2 for 1 tree replacement
• Buffer zone between 0.5m and 1.9m, and fence, between tramline & path
• “Aiming for” improvements to cycle routes on Crewe Road South, Queensferry Road and Queensferry Street, and alternative route from Crewe Toll to Roseburn / Murrayfield – presumably this would be the alternative to Roseburn path during the lengthy construction period – and it is stated that such improvements would be permanent

Option for tram via Orchard Brae

• Roseburn path route unaffected – no changes
• Crewe Road South, Orchard Brae, Queensferry Road, Dean Bridge and Queensferry Street would all get tramlines on them
• Existing bike lanes on the above streets would be removed and bikes would mix with general traffic throughout
• During construction, the Roseburn path would be a recommended cycling alternative

City Centre to Bioquarter/NRIE

• Complex junction at the East End .. “Initially, priority will be given to walking, wheeling and public transport but we will continue to explore options for cycling during project development“
• Tram stop on North Bridge, with lift down to Waverley (no mention of bikes)
• North Bridge to Clerk St – Bike lanes removed, with no bus gate, so full motor traffic remains, though reduced to 3 lanes (2 at bus stops) to allow wider footways
• Meadows to George St is seen as an alternative for cycling, and further south ” ‘the aim would be’ for high quality cycling infrastructure on a parallel route to be delivered as part of the tram project“
• Old Dalkeith Rd – “Improved cycle provision” as part of project

Bioquarter to Midlothian & East Lothian

• Working with the other councils and SEStran to extend to possibly QMU, Musselburgh station, Shawfair station, Niddrie, Fort Kinnard, Newcraighall Park and Ride
• This feels like a longer-term project, with only outline strategy mentioned, and no coverage as yet of cycling.

Spokes next steps

• It is early days in the consultation but Spokes Planning Group is beginning detailed consideration and we welcome any early feedback from members or others
• Whilst cycling considerations are our primary concern we are always also concerned over wider environmental, traffic, public transport and particularly walking/wheeling issues, with our formal objective to promote cycling “as part of a sustainable transport and access strategy.”